Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn Won't Seek Reelection as Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair

New York Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn announced Monday evening that she will not seek another term as the chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, concluding a six-year tenure marked by internal infighting. She stated her intention to move on to her "next chapter in life" while expressing pride in her accomplishments leading the party.

Bichotte Hermelyn indicated that the party's executive committee will be expanded to become "more inclusive" and to allow greater participation from everyday Brooklynites. She described her departure as leaving the party "stronger, more inclusive, [and] more transparent."

Her decision comes approximately one month after she advocated for a last-minute rule change aimed at consolidating her leadership position. This move occurred as a progressive wing of the party vied for control. Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly criticized Bichotte Hermelyn, accusing her of attempting to "circumvent the will of voters" by proposing an increase in the number of voting members eligible to select the next party chair.

The New Kings Democrats, a reform-oriented group, had secured 22 district leader seats in the June primary, a victory that could have potentially led to Bichotte Hermelyn's ouster. The group subsequently filed a lawsuit against Bichotte Hermelyn regarding her proposed rule changes, which were ultimately adopted.

Notable political figures, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, had previously voiced opposition to these eleventh-hour changes. Schumer stated at the time that "the party should not change the rules in the middle of the game," referencing the primary election results.

The proposed changes, which included increasing the executive committee membership from 42 to 68, successfully garnered the necessary support to pass, creating a pathway for Bichotte Hermelyn to potentially retain her chairmanship. However, her decision not to run for reelection now opens the leadership position for a new contest.

Bichotte Hermelyn's announcement also follows an investigation by The Post that revealed she, her predecessor Frank Seddio, and their allies had collected approximately $190,000 in campaign contributions and payments from over 90 judges and judicial candidates since 2012. Critics have described these donations as a form of "shakedown" in exchange for party nominations, alleging that sitting judges may have circumvented rules designed to keep them out of partisan politics. Government watchdog groups have expressed concern that such arrangements undermine public confidence in the judiciary.