Full Breakdown
Brooklyn Democratic Party Rule Changes Approved Amid Reform Fight
8/27/2026, 1:49:23 AM
Vote Expands Executive Committee
Brooklyn Democratic Party district leaders convened in a closed-door meeting at the Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club and approved a slate of bylaw amendments that increase the Executive Committee from 42 to 68 members. The changes were pushed through by chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who faced a potential loss of her six-year tenure after reform-aligned candidates captured a majority of district-leader seats in the June primary. The vote, described by party officials as “open, fair and democratic,” adds a representative from every Assembly district and creates dozens of new voting slots ahead of Bichotte Hermelyn’s re-election bid.
Data & Statistics
- The Executive Committee will grow by 26 seats, raising its total to 68.
- Twenty-two newly elected district leaders participated, many of whom had not yet taken office.
- Two district leaders represent each of Brooklyn’s 21 Assembly districts, forming the body that selects the party chair every two years.
Official Statements & Responses
State and city leaders—including Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Senator Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Attorney General Letitia James—publicly urged the party to reverse the amendments, characterizing them as a power grab.
Former chair Frank Seddio, speaking outside the club, defended the changes as an opportunity to “democratize” positions that progressives have long sought. Election lawyer Mark Hanna, who represents the reformers, noted that a judge declined to intervene before the vote but that the lawsuit will be refiled.
Criticism & Opposition
Reform-aligned district leader Luke Ohlson condemned the process as and warned that “people feel disenfranchised, they feel upset and they have a right to be upset.”
Former district leader Renee Collymore argued that the changes are meant to keep the establishment in power, stating, “We are fighting so people can be included. Isn’t that a better Democratic party?” and adding that “These are politicians, what do you expect of them. It’s about survival for a lot of these people.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “What’s going on in there is a miscarriage of the will of the voters,” — Luke Ohlson
- “Because this is being held behind closed doors, with security, without public presence, without actual public support,” — Luke Ohlson
- “People feel disenfranchised, they feel upset and they have a right to be upset,” — Ohlson. Allies
- “My problem with the progressives and the socialists is: they don't have that position of 'Okay, it's okay to agree to disagree, it's: If I'm right, I'm right, how could you be wrong? How could you be right?' We can't have two rights,” — Frank Seddio, the former county Democratic party chair
