Brooklyn Countywide Dems. choose leadership, re-elect party chair

October 4, 2022 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Dominique Smith, American Idol contestant and Brooklynite singer, renditioning "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the start of the Organizational Meeting at Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge. Photo: Kings County Democratic County Committee

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Editors’ Note: The game of politics on both sides of the aisle is usually won by consensus and unity. Recently, the Kings County Democratic County Committee (aka Brooklyn Democratic Party) elected its new leadership, and the results are reprinted below from the official County Party newsletter. We share that information below, and congratulate County Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn on her re-election, along with the newly-elected and re-elected Party Officers.

We urge readers who wish to be more engaged to discover and cultivate their own District Leaders (there are two who represent each of your respective Assembly Districts in the County Party).

The Kings County Democratic County Committee Organizational Meeting successfully convened on Monday evening.

The transparent and efficient meeting resulted in the filling of vacancies and the election of Officers of the Brooklyn Democratic Party County Committee and Executive Committee. The election of officers was conducted by the Party’s District Leaders (with two elected District Leaders representing each Assembly District).

Election of Executive Committee Officers for 2022-2024:

Assemblymember (AD 42) Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn was reelected to serve a second term as Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair.

Bichotte Hermelyn, who began serving as Brooklyn’s first woman and first Black woman Democratic County Party Chair in January 2020, said:

“I am honored to be reelected County Chair to continue to strengthen and unite our Party. This is a historical chance to enact monumental change as the largest Democratic county party in the U.S. We have the opportunity to unite and keep Brooklyn Blue during the pivotal midterm elections.

With gun restrictions, abortion rights, voting rights and more on the table, we will keep the party united to fight issues that will affect the entire future of our borough and nation.

We will continue to relentlessly focus on improving and uplifting the lives of all Brooklynites. Nothing will get in the way of our united Brooklyn Democracy.”

Arleny Alvarado-McCalla (AD-54)
Photo: Kings County Democratic County Committee

Henry Butler (AD 56) was reelected to serve as Vice Chair. Butler, who also serves as a Brooklyn Community Board 3’s District Manager, said, “I thank the Party for choosing me to serve again. We might have short-term disagreements, but our Party has displayed strong leadership and unity, and I look forward to leading the Party towards even greater inclusivity and fairness.”

Nancy Tong (current District Leader, AD 47) was elected as Secretary. “I am proud to serve Brooklynites and the Democratic Party in an even greater capacity as we all display strength and unity in the new term,” Tong said.

Arleny Alvarado-McCalla (AD 54) was re-elected to serve as the County Committee Chair by an overwhelming majority.

Alvarado-McCalla said: “I’m honored to continue serving as the first-ever Latina County Committee Chair, and I will relentlessly continue to champion the diverse needs of Democrats across our borough. I thank the county committee members who supported me, and look forward to working with all our members to keep Brooklyn Blue as a united and inclusive Party.”

The Slate of Elected County Committee Officers:

Party Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn thanked the Kings County Democratic Party for a successful Organizational Meeting and congratulated the winners:

“Congratulations to all of the winners and to the Party – especially our volunteers – for helping support this successful, transparent meeting where we listened to the community’s feedback and ensured every vote and voice was counted.

Thank you to all Brooklynites for demonstrating your commitment in ensuring my re-election as the Brooklyn Democratic County Leader. I thank the Executive Committee and its Chair Arleny Alvarado-McCalla, Interim Executive Director Yamil Speight Miller and all Brooklyn Dems for a successful Organizational Meeting as we usher in a new era.”