Brooklyn Democrats Pass 21-19 Rule Changes Despite Schumer and Jeffries Opposition
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Sep 9
Brooklyn Democrats Pass 21-19 Rule Changes Despite Schumer and Jeffries Opposition
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Sep 9
Summary
A 21-19 vote with one abstention approved Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn’s changes to the Brooklyn Democratic Party executive committee ahead of a leadership contest due by Oct. 6.
Bichotte Hermelyn says the expansion makes the party more inclusive, but reformers argue it was designed to shore up her weakening support and deny Julio Peña III’s camp a majority under the old structure.
Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Kathy Hochul, Zohran Mamdani and state party chair Jay Jacobs all opposed the move, yet Jeffries’ team says his focus remains the midterms and Schumer’s office did not comment.
A court challenge is still pending after Tuesday’s hearing, with reformers arguing outgoing county committee members should not have been allowed to vote and that the amendments otherwise would have failed.
The fight has become a test of Schumer’s and Jeffries’ clout in their home borough, with Democrats warning the feud could weaken party cohesion and hand Republicans a corruption line before November.