Brooklyn is in the House (and Senate)

Special guest Sen. Chuck Schumer, leading the U.S. Senate Majority, is a Park Slope-based Democrat, who lives less than a mile away from Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the next Speaker of the Democratic House, succeeding Nancy Pelosi.

Jeffries’ rise in Brooklyn marks a new era with the first Black leader of a major party in the House of Representatives.  “His remarkable rise from humble roots to House Democratic Leader is a testament to his skilled leadership, legislative abilities and keen understanding of the needs of his constituents,” said Assemblymember Rodenyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who is Chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party.

Statewide, there is also Brooklynite Letitia “Tish” James, NY’s first female Attorney General, taking on the challenge to defend Democracy for New York — and the nation — against the GOP.

“And we also have our esteemed New York City Mayor, Eric Adams, building a stronger, better city for all New Yorkers. We have our Public Advocate, Jumaane Williams, and Comptroller, Brad Lander; both Brooklynites who are dedicated to the betterment of our borough and our city,” added Bichotte Hermelyn.

Unity, in All Shades of Blue

The Brooklyn Democratic Party is one of the largest Democratic county parties in the nation, representing over 1.3 million registered Democratic voters.

Especially in the opinionated and largely Blue Brooklyn, “the beauty of the Democratic Party is that we are not a monolith,” said Bichotte Hermelyn. To that end, the Party’s Annual Gala also serves as a unifier; convening elected officials and the public to rally around common ideals.

While there is a proliferation of clubs around Brooklyn, they all fall under the official county umbrella of The Brooklyn Democratic Party, called “The Kings County Democratic County Committee” — the county committee of the borough of Brooklyn.

Last year, the Party’s Gala came just before the November General Election, rallying the vote during a tighter-than-expected election that drew national attention. Analysis by the NY Post showed that Governor Hochul garnered a staggering 90% or more votes in many of the city’s predominantly Afro-American and Afro-Caribbean districts, many of which are in Brooklyn.

This year, the Gala comes off the heels of June’s Primary Election, with closely-watched races for New York City Council. In November, plenty of City Council elections in Brooklyn are poised to be competitive races, including the open seat in District 43, where Democratic nominee Susan Zhuang (the first Asian American Democratic Nominee in Brooklyn) will face GOP nominee Ying Tan.

Honoring NYC’s Recovery

Beyond showcasing political unity, the Party’s Gala is also celebrating and recognizing New York City’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, while honoring the Labor Unions, Community Leaders and Small Businesses that continue to be the city’s backbone.

“The Party’s Annual Gala is also celebrating key unions — along with their hundreds of thousands of members – alongside local, small businesses, that have played a pivotal role in our post-pandemic recovery. We’re shining the spotlight on the workers, entrepreneurs and leaders who labored tirelessly to build back our City better,” concluded Party Chair Bichotte Hermelyn.

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