County Committee News

A fight over neighborhood patronage gigs has led to threats, insults, accusations, lawsuits, and an effort to oust the party’s first female boss.

Zack Fink has more on the report.

It came as a shock to Alfreida Davis’ family members to learn that on Dec. 1, 2020 — a month after Davis’ death — a district leader in Coney Island filed an official form signing up the late matriarch for a seat on the Brooklyn Democratic Party’s county committee.

Brooklyn’s Democratic Party bosses will try any anti-democratic tricks they can to hold power amid an internecine fight with insurgent reformers. But there are some democratic steps we can take to try to ensure that the people of the borough aren’t taken for a ride.

A 92-year-old Holocaust survivor, an immigration advocate and a financial tech worker all learned of their candidacies when contacted by THE CITY. Party reformers charge they were caught up in a scheme for power brokers to retain control.

Brooklyn’s new Borough President, Antonio Reynoso, has released a new “transition report” outlining his agenda and priorities for his young beepage, a

They’re volunteer positions with a history in patronage politics. Today, district leaders influence who can be judges, poll workers and members of each borough’s county committee.

District Leader Anthony Jones says the forged forms were part of a flood of ballot objections ordered by party higher ups.

“This is not my signature” said a young voter whose name and supposed sign-off are on papers filed to throw a political newcomer off the ballot. His neighbor says the same thing.

Two men tell THE CITY they did not sign petition objections submitted to the Board of Elections in their names and linked to a top Kings County Democrats lawyer. “You think we’re a bunch of idiots,” says one targeted office-holder in Brownsville.

Edu Hermelyn quit his job with the city public assistance agency within weeks, after THE CITY asked about his political post alongside spouse Rodneyse Bichotte. He’s now running for election.

Jefferson County’s new leadership team has been selected, and there are a few new faces running the three main committees.

John Katko’s reputation as a moderate Republican has served him well in a district with an urban and rural constituency, but he has found himself out of step

The long-time head of the Chautauqua County Democratic Party is stepping down. Norm Green has sent a letter to the county Democratic Executive Committee saying that Friday will be his last day in his current position. “Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas is aware of my retirement and as the vice chair of our…

Prosecutors say they identified Queens Republican district leader Philip Grillo by his Knights of Columbus jacket.

BY DASHIELL ALLEN | Residents and community advocates are concerned that historically united neighborhood districts could be split up after the next round of state and congressional redistricting. Redistricting is the process by which congressional, state Senate and state Assembly district lines are…

State lawmakers have proposed new legislation that 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. The legislation, named the Gender Inclusive Ballot Act, would encompass positions for…

An Assembly member called for the resignation of borough party boss Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn after her husband recited crude lyrics during a Zoom meeting. Reformers say the offensive tune exemplified efforts to belittle and silence party members.

Rockland Democrats agree to the December vote for party chair after court challenge to decision naming Chris Sampson of Ramapo.

(l-r) Basil Paterson, Carl McCall, Brian Benjamin, Cordell Cleare Cordell Cleare recently received the Democratic nomination to replace Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin in the State Senate after his appointment by Governor Hochul. Cleare is almost certain to win the special election that will be…