A lawsuit has been filed against the Brooklyn Democratic Party chair, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, by a group of reformers who allege that proposed rule changes are an attempt to undermine the will of voters and retain leadership control. The suit, filed by district leader Julio Peña III, head of the reform group New Kings Democrats, seeks to halt the proposed changes ahead of a party meeting where they are slated for a vote.
Mamdani accuses BK Dem leader of attempting to bypass 'will of voters'
The controversy erupted after a significant number of reform-oriented Democrats won district leader seats in the June primary. These wins were seen as sufficient to oust Bichotte Hermelyn from her leadership position at the upcoming party convention. Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly opposed the proposed changes, stating they were an effort to "circumnavigate the will of voters."
The lawsuit argues that the proposed rule changes would effectively nullify the results of the June primary by altering the composition of the voting body. The reformers have drawn parallels to past attempts to consolidate power within the party, referencing Vito Lopez, a former disgraced chair. Peña stated, "Brooklyn can’t turn back to bossism and the worst days of Vito Lopez."
Bichotte Hermelyn has described the rule changes as a means of "expanding participation" and creating "a perception of inclusiveness." However, the proposal includes adding over a dozen new voting members to the party's executive committee, which critics argue would entrench current leadership. Additionally, the changes would mandate an 85% support threshold for future amendments, a move described as making them nearly insurmountable.
The proposed rules would also grant the chair significant, almost unilateral, control over judicial endorsements and the judge-selection process in Brooklyn. The influence of these rules was underscored when Judge Kenneth P. Sherman recused himself from the new lawsuit, citing potential conflicts due to his own future judicial nomination prospects.
Democrats at various levels of government have voiced opposition to the proposed changes. State Party Chair Jay Jacobs, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Sen. Chuck Schumer have all criticized the move. Schumer commented, "Given the clear results of the June Democratic primary in Brooklyn, the party should not change the rules in the middle of the game."