NEW YORK, New York – Haitian-American New York State Assemblymember, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the first woman to lead the Brooklyn Democratic Party in New York, says she will not seek re-election as County Chair.
Bichotte Hermelyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, who represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that her decision concludes “a six year tenure marked by unprecedented growth, modernisation, and community engagement within the largest Democratic county organization in the nation”
She 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. 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.”.
During her leadership, Bichotte Hermelyn said she oversaw “significant organizational reforms, expanded voter engagement efforts, strengthened diversity within party leadership, and championed community driven initiatives across Brooklyn’s 44 Assembly districts”.
She said her tenure included navigating the party through the COVID-19 pandemic, historic elections, and major shifts in civic participation.
Under her guidance, Bichotte Hermelyn said the Brooklyn Democratic Party invested in digital infrastructure, broadened multilingual outreach, and supported record numbers of new candidates entering public service.
She said her leadership also elevated women, immigrants, and first generation Americans into key roles — “reflecting the borough’s dynamic identity” and that her departure as chair is not a retreat from public life but “a strategic pivot toward deeper community engagement.”
She said she will continue serving as Assemblymember for the 42nd District, where, she said, 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. 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.”
Bichotte Hermelyn 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,” she said.
The Democratic Party executive committee said it 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,” it said in a statement.
