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2 clusters · 3 sources · 21 days · First seen · Last updated

Brooklyn Democratic Party leadership dispute

Overview

In August 2026, Brooklyn Democratic Party chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn successfully passed controversial changes to the Kings County Democratic County Committee bylaws. The changes aimed to expand the executive committee by adding dozens of new seats. While Bichotte Hermelyn stated the proposal would increase inclusivity and transparency, critics from the New Kings Democrats coalition argued the move was a tactic to maintain control and subvert reform-aligned district leaders, calling the vote a “miscarriage of the will of the voters”.

In September 2026, a New York State Supreme Court judge struck down these rule changes. Judge Jill Epstein ruled that the outgoing executive committee members had “no authority” to vote on the amendments, declaring the changes a “nullity” and issuing a permanent injunction. The ruling prevents the expansion of the committee ahead of a scheduled meeting to select new executive members, a process that influences the selection of State Supreme Court judges.

Entities

Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn · New Kings Democrats · Kings County Democratic County Committee · Brooklyn · Brooklyn Democratic Party

Timeline

  1. 8 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Brooklyn Democratic Party rule changes struck down by judge

    A New York judge blocked controversial rule changes in the Brooklyn Democratic Party that would have expanded the executive committee and helped Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn maintain control.

  2. 28 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Brooklyn Democratic Chair passes controversial party rule changes

    Brooklyn Democratic Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn passed controversial bylaw changes to expand the party's executive committee, a move reformers claim is designed to maintain her leadership.

Sources

amsterdamnews.com · nysfocus.com · thecity.nyc