New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has publicly opposed a proposal by Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn to alter the party's rules, asserting the changes would undermine the will of voters. The controversy centers on a push to add more than two dozen voting members to the party's executive committee, which is slated to select a new party chair in the fall.
Mamdani stated, "I very much oppose these proposed changes, by the current Brooklyn Democratic Party chair. I oppose them because they are an attempt to circumnavigate the will of voters." He argues that the party should align with the preferences of New Yorkers, rather than perpetuate a political climate that leads to disengagement.
The proposed rule changes come after a slate of reformers secured 22 district leader seats in the June primary. These newly elected district leaders are not scheduled to take their seats until the fall. Currently, Bichotte Hermelyn and her supporters maintain a majority among the existing district leaders who are preparing to vote on the proposed changes.
Bichotte Hermelyn has characterized the proposals as measures to increase participation within the party. In a video released by the Brooklyn Democratic organization, she stated the proposals would "expand leadership" and "expand representation," aiming to create a "perception of inclusiveness."
Reformers have endorsed longtime Sunset Park district leader Julio Peña for the position of the next party chair. If Bichotte Hermelyn's proposed changes are approved, the additional voting members would be eligible to participate in the upcoming leadership election.
New York Attorney General Letitia James and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams have also urged the party against proceeding with the changes. In a joint statement, they said, "New Yorkers deserve leaders who are committed to serving their communities, not rewriting rules to hold onto power. Changing the makeup of an executive committee on the eve of a leadership vote goes against what we believe in as Democrats and should not move forward."
Another proposed change would grant former party chairs a vote in future leadership elections even if they are no longer serving as district leaders. This provision could allow former party chair Clarence Norman, who resigned in 2005 following corruption convictions, to vote in future leadership contests.
Following the leadership election, an additional proposed amendment would permit the appointment of more voting members from each Assembly district, potentially increasing the executive committee's size to approximately 90 members.