Brooklyn Democratic Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn Endorses Cuomo for Mayor
Major Endorsement Coalesces Support in Brooklyn to Help Elect Gov. Cuomo as Next Mayor
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, candidate for mayor of New York City, today proudly received the key endorsement of influential Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn. In citing her decision to support Governor Cuomo, she stated his commitment to making New York safer and more affordable along with her belief that the city needs steady leadership to guide us through these uncertain times.
Bichotte Hermelyn, who just joined the campaign as the Political Senior Executive Advisor, is the Assembly Member and District Leader for New York State’s 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn, and the first Black woman to lead a county party in New York City. As one of the largest Democratic organizations in the country, the Brooklyn Democratic Party represents over 1.3 million registered voters and 42 District Leaders among 21 Assembly Districts.
“Andrew Cuomo has steadfastly served as an exemplary public servant for the betterment of our City and State for decades, starting right here in Brooklyn where he began as a community advocate,” said Bichotte Hermelyn. “Cuomo never forgot his roots, or the importance of fighting for equality and opportunity, as he served as Attorney General of New York starting in 2016, then as our Governor for 11 years. During his tenure, he led our City through the darkest depths of the COVID pandemic, while instituting real change that made New York City safer, stronger and more liveable and affordable for all."
Bichotte Hermelyn continued: “As the leader of the largest and most diverse Democratic County Party in New York - and the nation - I know the experienced leadership we need to steer our City forward. We deserve a battle-tested and visionary Democrat to keep leading New York City through some of its most challenging times, and only Andrew Cuomo has the unique insights, real-world experience and proven leadership skills needed to navigate the complexities of our city’s continued recovery and growth.
“As an Assemblymember who worked with Cuomo, I’ve seen our former Governor transform New York into a national beacon for social progress, while instituting a stronger economy, a cleaner environment, equitable healthcare, a fairer criminal justice system, improved education; and myriad more pressing issues facing Brooklynites and all New Yorkers.
“Cuomo not only has the right leadership skills, but has an extensive plan with a strong network of support to tackle the unique issues and crisis our city is facing today, including a lack of affordability; rising mental health, addiction, and homelessness rates; and barriers to accessing education.
“I’m proud to endorse Andrew Cuomo for Mayor, along with the my Brooklyn Electeds, District leaders and County Committee members because he has tackled our City’s issues, and I’m confident he’ll do it again—while improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers and building a brighter future for Brooklyn together with us.”
“Brooklyn is home to the largest number of Democrats in any county in the nation and I am humbled to have the support of its great Democratic leader, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, at this critical moment for our city,” Governor Cuomo said. “She is a great friend and a true partner in government, who I was proud to work with to raise the wage for millions of working class New Yorkers, to enact the nation’s strongest paid family leave program and pass the toughest gun violence prevention laws in the country. She’s a trail blazer, a barrier breaker and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with her for the benefit of this great borough and this great city for years to come."
The Governor has also received many endorsements from other Brooklyn elected officials and party leaders, including Assembly Member Latrice Walker, Assembly Member Erik Dilan, Assembly Member William Colton, Assembly Member Susan Zhuang, Council Member Farah Louis, Council Member Darlene Mealy, former Brooklyn Democratic Party Chairman Frank Seddio, Brooklyn Democratic Party Vice Chair and District Leader Henry Butler, District Leader Anthony Jones, District Leader Arleny Alvarado-McCalla, District Leader Heriberto Mateo, District Leader Nancy Tong, District Leader Larry He, District Leader Joyce Xiaoqiong Xie, District Leader Tony Ying Ko, District Leader Joey Saban, District Leader Viktoriya Mushailova, and District Leader Michael Boomer, who also endorsed today.
Bichotte Hermelyn added, “Given that all parts of Brooklyn - North, South and Central - that make up this beautiful mosaic of diversity in the borough are throwing support is a reflection of the high approval and polling rates of Cuomo.”
Throughout his career in public service, Governor Cuomo has been a champion for working New Yorkers. He raised wages for millions, protected the right to organize when the Supreme Court tried to break the back of the labor movement, increased access to healthcare, enacted the nation's strongest paid family leave program and expanded apprenticeships, vocational training, and workforce development programs. He also advanced the most substantial infrastructure program in a generation, including the Second Avenue Subway, the Moynihan Train Hall and the new Kosciuszko Bridge and the new JFK and LaGuardia Airports – all major projects built with union labor.
The Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair also joins U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres, former New York State Comptroller Carl McCall, former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Assembly Member Charles Fall, Assembly Member Eddie Gibbs, Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia, Assembly Member Jordan Wright, Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato, Assembly Member Sam Berger, Assembly Member Vivian Cook, Council Member Kamillah Hanks, 18 other District Leaders across the city, Staten Island Democratic Party, former National Director of the Anti-Defamation League Abe Foxman, New York City Deputy Sheriffs’ Benevolent Association, Teamsters Local 237, Local 3 IBEW, New York City and Vicinity District Council of Carpenters, District Council 9 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, the Village Reform Democratic Club, American Jewish Congress, and the Italian American Leadership Council in endorsing Governor Cuomo for mayor of New York City.
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