New York had a mammoth presence at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this past week, and Brooklyn was very much at the center of it all.

Brooklynites Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered prime-time speeches that put the borough in the limelight. And that tone was one of unity. “Republicans want to divide us,” Rep. Jeffries said to the roaring crowd. “Together, together, together, let’s build a brighter future for our children and our grandchildren.”

Brooklyn brought more than 70 Presidential Delegates to the Convention, including some of the State’s largest political figures: Attorney General Letitia James, NYC Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul. Over 300 delegates from across the state were there representing New York. 

“As the largest County Political Party in the nation, we’re a big tent Party, and one with many differing shades of Blue ideologies,” said Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, “However, we are always united as Democrats, and with the White House up for grabs, the DNC served as a launchpad for our united fight against MAGA Republicans.”

Bichotte Heremlyn helped lead the borough’s delegation in a “united front” under the theme “Brooklyn is DNC” with the goal of casting aside ideological differences in the diverse borough to zero in on a Harris-Walz win.

Delegate and Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon captured the spirit of setting aside differences for a historical Presidential victory, “This convention! This candidate! This team! Sometimes, us Democrats have dwelled on our differences at the margins. Not so now. Brooklyn’s Democrats are joyfully united for this herstorical candidate. It’s been a warm, wonderful, and joyful week together. Let’s win this!”

Hassan Bakiriddin, President of Unified Political Association, echoed this sentiment, noting, “What I saw resonating throughout the Democratic National Convention was a stark contrast between a future of tyranny and freedom, between diversity and monotony, and between hope and despair. It was an excited and fired-up Democratic party of the future.”

Bakiriddin highlighted the excitement of the convention: “Everyone at the DNC genuinely had fun because, from Lil Jon’s surprise performance to Hakeem Jeffries telling us how to spend our week, we got genuinely enthused to support Kamala Harris — something the Right just can’t stand. 

Seamus Campbell, DNC NY At-Large Delegate and President of Independent Neighborhood Democrats, reflected on the high morale and energy convention instilled. “This convention set the tone for the next 74 days: high morale and energy to go out and do the work of electing the Harris-Walz ticket.”

“I’m a lifelong Democrat, and this is the most unified I have ever seen in the Democratic party. I believe the energy and unity at this convention will lead to the historic election of Kamala Harris as the first female president of the United States,” said Henry Butler, Vice Chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party and President of the VIDA Political Club.

The United Fight Forward

Bichotte Hermelyn called the convention’s historic nomination of Harris, the first Black female presidential nominee, “beyond historic,” but the real battle starts between now and the election.

Brooklyn paved the path for a historic Harris nomination, with Brooklynite Rep. Shirley Chisholm being the first Black woman to run for the Democratic Presidential ticket.

Brooklyn’s unified front at the convention is “just the start of our united battle to take the House and keep the Senate Blue, all under the extremely capable Harris-Walz Administration,” added Brooklyn Dem Party Executive Director Yamil Speight Miller.

Brooklyn’s Democratic Party showcased a remarkable display of harmony at this week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago, emphasizing the collective strength and enthusiasm driving the local party as we look toward national change. 

“We will keep the momentum going until Nov. 5th. Though we left the convention, our collective dedication to advancing a united, progressive vision across the nation remains our focus,” Bichotte Hermelyn concluded.