East New York’s own Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas was named chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party on Sunday night. Her claim to the post is now being fought in court.
Allies of former chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn called a virtual meeting for 10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, and voted to make Lucas the new leader of the county party (NY1). The party announced the result Monday in a press release and statement (BK Reader, City & State).
“I am deeply honored by the vote of confidence from my fellow District Leaders and our Executive Committee,” Lucas said in a statement. “Brooklyn is the powerhouse of the Democratic coalition in New York, and our party is at its strongest when we are united, transparent, and rooted in our neighborhoods” (Brooklyn Paper).
Why the vote is disputed
Lucas received 34 votes. Thirteen came from the borough’s 42 elected district leaders, and many of those were cast by proxy. The other 21 came from members added to the executive committee under a rule change that a lower court and an appeals court have both ruled unlawful (Brooklyn Paper, City & State).
Last week, a state Supreme Court judge issued a temporary restraining order barring the party from holding the executive committee vote originally set for Sept. 29 “or any adjournment, continuation, postponement, rescheduling, or substitute thereof” until the case is decided (Brooklyn Paper).
Then on Friday, Oct. 2, Judge Lisa Lewis ruled that Bichotte Hermelyn’s term as chair ended at the party’s Sept. 23 organizational meeting. The judge named Rep. Nydia Velázquez, the newly elected chair of the county committee, as “the sole officer presently vested with party-wide executive authority” for now (City & State).
In a Sunday email to party members, Bichotte Hermelyn said the executive committee was no longer subject to the court’s “restraints.” Mark Hanna, a district leader and attorney for the reform coalition, sent a cease-and-desist letter saying the order “remains in full force and effect” (Brooklyn Paper).
Reformers aligned with New Kings Democrats called the vote “illegal and undemocratic.” Hanna said that even if the meeting had been legal, 13 district leaders would not have been enough for a quorum (Brooklyn Paper). On Monday, reform lawyers asked a judge to hold Bichotte Hermelyn and others who took part in contempt of court (City & State).
Bichotte Hermelyn praised Lucas Monday as “a dedicated public servant, an experienced organizer, and the right leader to unify our party” (Politico).
The rival claim
The reform coalition backs District Leader Julio Peña III of Sunset Park for chair (Peña’s website). Hanna has said Peña has the support of 26 of the 42 district leaders (City & State). Reformers say that once the court lifts its order, Velázquez has the authority to call a proper vote for chair (City & State).
Why it matters in East New York
The county party plays a major role in Brooklyn politics, from backing candidates to organizing campaigns. The executive committee, made up of district leaders from every Assembly district, runs party operations and fills vacancies when needed (BK Reader). If Lucas’s claim holds, East New York’s representative in Albany would lead it.
The dispute also raises questions residents may want answered: how a party leadership role would fit alongside Lucas’s work for the 60th Assembly District, and whether a long court fight will pull attention away from local priorities like housing, public safety and transit.
What’s next
Both sides are due in court Tuesday, Oct. 6 (Brooklyn Paper). A hearing on the Sunday vote is scheduled for Oct. 19 (Politico). The East New York Times is seeking comment from Lucas’s office, the Brooklyn Democratic Party, the reform coalition and Rep. Velázquez’s office and will update this story.