Community News
Kings County Democratic Committee Organizational Meeting Demonstrates How Democracy is Done
By Mary Alice Miller
The Kings County Democratic Committee recently hosted its Organizational Meeting at a downtown Brooklyn hotel. The purpose of the meeting was to fill vacant positions and strengthen its structure to better serve Brooklyn’s registered Democrat voters.
“We invest in all of you because we believe in democracy, and we believe in Brooklyn. The number 1 largest county in the whole state of NY. We believe in inclusivity, transparency, and making sure that we are accountable for everything we do, but most importantly, everybody is engaged,” said Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn at the opening of the meeting. “Everyone is looking to us to be the model. We have learned from past county committee meetings, and we have grown and progressed.”
Bichotte Hermelyn appointed Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas to chair the meeting. Robert Robinson, a professional registered parliamentarian, adhered strictly to Roberts Rules of Order to keep the meeting attended by approximately 200 in-person members and about 900 proxies on track. “My role here in the meeting is to assist the chair with moving the meeting along efficiently and in an orderly fashion,” said Robinson.
There were tie votes in the June 2024 primary for County Committee that needed to be resolved with tie-breaker elections. Bichotte Hermelyn reminded meeting attendees that “We have an election to win in November. We need to organize so that we can move forward because the people, the 1.2 Democrats, are counting on us. We need all of us to be unified and move forward together.”
In the 22nd ED, which is in the 49th AD, Victoria Kelly won over Nicholas Ko. In ED39, AD 64 Kurt Barnes was listed twice due to a printing error, and both names received the same amount of votes. It was revealed during the meeting that the candidates were father Kurt Barnes, Sr. and son Kurt P. Barnes, Jr son. Barnes, Sr. Won. In ED18, AD 55, no votes were cast, effectively creating a vacancy. According to party rules, these vacancies may be filled at their local AD county committee meeting.
In assembly districts were there were vacancies all were uncontested except for three: the 43rd, the 44th, and the 45th. In the 43rd AD Slate A won. In the 44th AD Slate A won, and in the 45th AD Slate 1A won.
For each of the ADs we will have representation
When one attendee pointed out that one slate was filled with Muslim names, Bichotte Hermelyn redirected the meeting by stating that xenophobia is not tolerated.
For the assembly districts where there were uncontested candidates, the chair declared that all uncontested candidates nominated to be members of the county committee are elected.
One attendee asked to make a point of order, stating, “The Chair of executive committee using her influence to sway elections and speak on behalf of candidates if no one is here on behalf of the candidate or is willing to speak on behalf of that slate it should not be undue influence of the chair to sway elections.”
Lucas responded: “The chair is also an elected member of this body. It’s within her rights, just like everyone else’s, to vote on behalf of the people who gave her the authority to vote for them. We are carrying proxies in here. She has that right,” Lucas responded. “Are you suggesting or asking that we strip that from her? Because when you are in the same position that is very undemocratic for people fighting for democracy asking for an undemocratic process.”
Assemblymember and District Leader (AD 42) Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn was re-elected to serve a third term as the Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair. Henry Butler (AD 56) was re-elected Vice Chair of the Executive Committee, and Nancy Tong (AD 47) was re-elected Secretary.
“I join our communities across Brooklyn in expressing extreme gratitude for all who participated in and made the Kings County Democratic County Committee Organizational Meeting a transparent, productive, and congenial success, where we listened to the community’s feedback and ensured every vote and voice was counted,” said Bichotte Hermelyn. “The effective meeting resulted in the adoption of new rules resolutions and the elections of our Executive Committee– exemplifying the inclusive grassroots democracy that’s the bedrock of our Democratic Party.”
Bichotte Hermelyn continued, “I am deeply honored to be re-elected as County Chair to continue to strengthen and unite our Party. With less that 40 days until the pivotal elections, my commitment is stronger than ever towards uniting our Party and uplifting Brooklynites by winning the White House, maintaining control of the Senate, and flipping the House blue, and electing Democrats across our great borough and state.
She concluded, “This is a historical chance to enact monumental change as the largest Democratic county party in the U.S., and I’m proud to be leading with you in unity as we make pivotal change and build a bright future for all.”