Gov. Hochul, Mayor-elect Adams, and Brooklyn Dems Celebrate Unity at Swanky Greenpoint Fundraiser & Toy Drive

The Brooklyn Dem Party Parties for the Holidays With the Governor and Mayor-elect

December 10, 2021 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Brooklyn Young Democrats leadership speaking on the stage

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On Thursday night, Brooklyn was the hotspot of NY politics, when the Brooklyn Democratic Party’s annual Holiday Fundraiser & Toy Drive kicked off with a plethora of high-profile politicos and festivities. As Kathy Hochul said on stage, “It’s a lot more fun to be a Democrat in Brooklyn!”

In attendance at the hip Broadway Stages event space in Greenpoint for the holiday party was a slew of devoted Democrats from all ranks and boroughs, including Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair Rodneyse Hermelyn Bichotte, Mayor-elect Eric Adams, Gov. Kathy Hochul, along with a diverse slate of District Leaders, Assemblymembers, State Senators, Councilmembers, and more. Some notable attendees included Queens BP Donovan Richards, Manhattan BP (and soon-to-be Councilmember) Gale Brewer, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

Amongst the mojitos, 360-degree cameras, and dancing to a DJ were speeches by Sabrina Rezzy (spox for Assemblymember Bichotte and President of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Democratic Club), Brooklyn Dems Chair Rodneyse Heremlyn Bichotte, Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor-elect Eric Adams, and the newly-formed Brooklyn Young Democrats (the youth arm of the party).

Brooklyn let other boroughs in on the action. Pictured is BK Dems Party Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn with Queens Borough President Donovan Richards.

Sabrina Rezzy, President of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Democratic Club, introducing Assemblymember Bichotte

Bichotte Hermelyn honoring Mayor Bill de Blasio with a “leading in excellence” award from the Brooklyn Democratic Party

Brooklyn Democratic Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn introducing Mayor-elect Eric Adams

Here are some key political highlights amongst the Party’s party:

Kathy Hochul vows to actually work with the next NYC Mayor: Mayor de Blasio and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s petty infighting was as much of an NYC staple as lox and bagels. Gov. Kathy Hochul vowed to end what the New York Times called “One of America’s Ugliest Political Feuds” by working in synchrony with the next Mayor.

“This ushers in a whole new era of cooperation and collaboration in a way that can lift people up,” Hochul said during her speech in regards to working with Eric Adams. “They’re tired of the fighting, they’re exhausted,” she added. Truer words have never been spoken.

Only time will tell if this friendliness holds water, but with nearly all the top NY elected officials hailing from Brooklyn, it would behoove Hochul to play nice with the borough. And with her skyrocketing support in gubernatorial polls, she clearly has the political savvy to make allies (unlike a certain predecessor).

Brooklyn Dem Party Chair Rodenyse Bichotte Heremlyn and Gov. Kathy Hochul

Gov. Hochul gets a big endorsement from Brooklyn: After NY AG Tish James dropped another bombshell by dropping out of the governor’s race, the Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair quickly gave a resounding endorsement for Hochul to remain in office.

“[Hochul’s] carried us through an incredibly difficult period for our state, and made it look like a cinch. Today, I told New York that she’s accomplished more in four months than many of her predecessors did in an entire term, and I sincerely mean that,” Bichotte Hermelyn said.

Brooklyn will be a key battleground for the Governor’s race: Although Hochul has the county party leader’s support, there are still other Brooklynite contenders in the race. Even with Tish out, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams is running for guv, and Mayor de Blasio is toying with the run.

As Hochul said, “I want to thank [Brooklyn] for being the most politically engaged committee in this country.” With over 1.2 million registered Democrats, and the largest population of any borough, Hochul will still have some competition. The GOP will have a harder time, but some Red hotbeds still exist, with Democratic Councilmember Justin Brannan just eeking out a win, and Republican Inna Vernikov thumping her Democratic opponent Steve Saperstein for an open seat In southern Brooklyn’s 48th Council District by nearly 30 points.

Adams roused the crowd, with constant chants from the crowd and palpable energy for the next Mayor to take the helm.

Eric Adams focuses on equity and unity: In a clear salvo at the far-left and Democratic Socialists who have attacked the Brooklyn Democratic Party, Adams called for party unity.

“We don’t have to divide our parties to get the things that we need,” said Adams. “I say to all Democrats: let’s be Democrats. It’s alright that some of us have a different philosophy. There’s nothing wrong with that–that is the beauty of democracy.”

With the 2022 elections coming up, and Adams needing to work with the most diverse City Council class in history, NYC party unity will play a huge factor in the city’s recovery and also have state and nation-wide effects.

Paraphrasing Muhamed Gandhi, Adams added, “there’s so much for human need, but not enough for human greed,” with his oft-repeated call to bring greater equality to the city (along with his vows to also be pro-business).

And on that note, attendees were encouraged to bring a toy and bring joy to families in need, in partnership with The Lew Fidler 41st A.D. Democrats Club, Shirley Chisholm Democratic Club Vanguard Independent Democratic Association (VIDA), Stars and Stripes Democratic Club, and Bay Democrats. Partying aside, attendees brought plenty of joy to be spread with the community: