Reformers clinch a majority of Brooklyn DL seats, threatening Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn's power

[RandySF]

Things aren’t looking good for Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn’s reign over the Brooklyn Democratic Party machine.

Nearly two dozen candidates backed by the Brooklyn Can’t Wait coalition – a group spearheaded by progressive reform club New Kings Democrats – won district leader races in the borough Tuesday night, giving reformers the majority of seats on the county party’s 42-member executive committee.

The night was rife with seismic upsets. Eight of the nine reform-aligned candidates running in contested races successfully unseated old guard incumbents. In addition to the coalition’s 14 returning district leaders who ran uncontested, that’s likely enough to wrest control of Brooklyn’s political machine from Bichotte Hermelyn – if reformers are able to consolidate around a candidate during the county leader election this September.

The New King Democrats have been attempting to gain influence in the party for years, but progress had been slow. Power struggles between reformers and Bichotte Hermelyn’s county-aligned allies for thankless, unpaid district leader roles have been savage. This cycle was no exception. A handful of candidates sought to get their challengers knocked from the ballot. Still, Bichotte Hermelyn was contemplative while speaking with City & State about the results.



https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2026/06/reformers-clinch-majority-brooklyn-dl-seats-threatening-rodneyse-bichotte-hermelyns-power/414403/?oref=csny-category-lander-river

[PFparks]

1. They won the hard way by turning out voters

The reformers/DSA won by simply identifying likely supporters and getting them to vote. Knocking on doors and calling registered Democrats are tried and true techniques to increase voter participation and win elections.

Maybe I am showing my age but this reminds me of what happened way back in June 1972 when reformers (then called the New Democratic Coalition and including many young McGovern supporters like myself) swept out old guard NY Dems like long term Rep. Manny Celler. Liz Holtzman took Manny's seat and served honorably but she did not have his seniority and influence in Congress (Cellar was first elected in 1928 believe it or not).

Those reformers later became the party leaders. The cycle repeats itself.