County Committee in the News
“Proposed State Law Would Allow Non-Binary Party Candidates”
Gay City News, November 22, 2021
The Gender Inclusive Ballot Act -- proposed by Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas of Queens and State Senator Zellnor Myrie of Brooklyn and co-authored by Émilia Decaudin, an out trans Democratic district leader in Queens’ 37th Assembly District -- would allow non-binary candidates to run for party positions in New York state and eliminate gender-based barriers requiring folks to run only as a female or male.
“How Did the Brooklyn Democratic Party Get Here?”
Bushwick Daily, June 19, 2021
This deep dive article details the history of Democratic Party organization in Brooklyn, including its power to endorse candidates, nominate judges, run the Board of Elections, and influence Special Elections.
"Bichotte makes the case for being a unifier"
City & State, December 29, 2020
After 26 hours split over two days, the 2020 meeting of the Kings County Democratic County Committee finally concluded in the early hours Christmas Eve. By the end, the gains made by a group of reformers in the Brooklyn Democratic Party during the first half of the meeting had been undone.
"Brooklyn Dems Adopt Robert's Rules, Elect New Officers at Second Lengthy Meeting" Brooklyn Paper, December 24, 2020
Brooklyn Democratic Party reformers walked out of Wednesday’s continued full membership Zoom meeting after a party-hired parliamentarian tossed out a slate of progressive reforms passed at the previous week’s 13-hour gathering.
"What happened at the Brooklyn Democrats’ 13-hour meeting"
City & State, December 18, 2020
A step-by-step explanation of the 2020 Brooklyn Democratic Party's organizational meeting, with details about the inner workings of the county organization and its significance for borough’s political landscape as a whole.
"Progressives Secure Party Reforms at Lengthy BK Dems Meeting"
Brooklyn Paper, December 17, 2020
Progressive activists secured a big victory over the Brooklyn Democratic Party leadership at a 13-hour Zoom meeting on Wednesday night, passing a slate of new rules aimed at making the borough’s party more democratic and transparent.
"Judge blocks Brooklyn Democrats’ illegal power play"
New York Post, December 10, 2020
Brooklyn state Justice Edgar Walker ruled that party chairwoman Rodneyse Bichotte and the executive board violated election law by unilaterally appointing Democrats to newly created positions as well as other existing committee vacancies. He nullified the 2,400 appointments.
"Judge Rules Brooklyn Democratic Party's Failure To Hold Virtual Meetings Is A "Ruse" For Party Bosses To Stay In Power"
Gothamist, October 28, 2020
Article reports on a state judge's ruling that the Brooklyn Democratic Party must hold its organizational meeting as required by law. County Committee members had filed a lawsuit arguing that the Executive Committee was disenfranchising members when it made a rule that they could not hold the meeting virtually.
"Assemblywoman Bichotte: The New Queen of Kings Democrats"
Bklyner, January 21, 2020
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte succeeds Frank Seddio as the new chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, becoming the first woman to hold the position and the first black woman to lead a county party in New York City.
"Bklyn Dems Leaders Reluctantly Promise More Time for Debate After Protests Erupt at Meeting"
Brooklyn Paper, February, 18, 2019
Kings County Democratic Committee leaders reluctantly committed to implementing a dedicated time slot for open discussion and new business at future meetings, after reform-oriented groups demanded more opportunity for input at the party’s twice-yearly get-together.
"Democrats Turned Up in Record Numbers. But One Man Held All the Power,"
The New York Times, September 30, 2018
In the chaotic September organizing meeting of the Kings County Democratic Committee, newly elected members, backed by insurgent progressive groups, sought to exert control. But in the end, every vote and every decision came down to one man: Frank Seddio, the Democratic leader in Brooklyn.
"How a Political Machine Works: Candidates Running for 21 Seats, All Unaware,"
The New York Times, August 24, 2018
The New York Times found that at least 21 nominees for Queens County Committee were running without their consent. Many candidates were nominated, without their knowledge, by the borough’s Democratic Party leadership, which is struggling to maintain control after the longtime Queens party chairman, Representative Joseph Crowley, was trounced by the left-leaning insurgent Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a June Congressional primary.