Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn Leaves the Party as Chair on the High

Circa January 2020-September 2026

Brooklyn, NY — Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the first woman to lead the Brooklyn Democratic Party, announced today that she will not seek re‑election as County Chair, concluding a six‑year tenure marked by unprecedented growth, modernization, and community engagement within the largest Democratic county organization in the nation.

Bichotte Hermelyn said she is stepping aside “on the high”, choosing to transition from the helm of the Party to a renewed, ground‑level mission of service. “After six years of steering this historic institution, I am ready to leave the throne and serve as a general among the people,” she stated. “Brooklyn’s strength has always come from its neighborhoods, its families, and its grassroots power. That is where I am called to be right now.”.

Bichotte Hermelyn launched a video on her Exit and Tenure

During her leadership, Bichotte Hermelyn oversaw significant organizational reforms, expanded voter engagement efforts, strengthened diversity within Party leadership, and championed community‑driven initiatives across Brooklyn’s 44 Assembly districts. Her tenure included navigating the Party through the COVID‑19 pandemic, historic elections, and major shifts in civic participation.

Under her guidance, the Brooklyn Democratic Party invested in digital infrastructure, broadened multilingual outreach, and supported record numbers of new candidates entering public service. Her leadership also elevated women, immigrants, and first‑generation Americans into key roles — reflecting the borough’s dynamic identity.

Bichotte Hermelyn emphasized that her departure as Chair is not a retreat from public life but a strategic pivot toward deeper community engagement. She will continue serving as Assemblymember for the 42nd District, where she has championed housing equity, economic development, maternal health, and immigrant rights.

“I am stepping aside from one role so I can step up in another,” she said. “Brooklyn deserves leaders who are present, accessible, and unafraid to stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder with the people. That is the work I intend to do and want to do.”

She expressed gratitude to district leaders, elected officials, volunteers, and the countless Brooklyn residents who supported her leadership. “This borough entrusted me with a historic responsibility. I am proud of what we built together — and even more excited for what comes next.”

As we enter this new chapter, the Executive Committee will convene shortly to begin the formal transition process and establish an interim leadership plan to ensure our momentum heading into the critical 2026 elections remains uninterrupted.

We thank Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn for her years of commitment to the party and look forward to her continued partnership as a legislative leader representing the 42nd Assembly District.

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Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, one of Brooklyn's most influential Democratic figures, announced she will not seek re‑election.

We represent Democrats from every corner of this borough, all part of the largest county party in the country. We are an inclusive and diverse organization with leaders and activists from every neighborhood of Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Democratic Party