New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has expressed strong opposition to last-minute efforts aimed at changing rules within the Brooklyn Democratic Party. He criticized these proposed changes, arguing they could undermine voters’ choices after reformers gained significant ground in the June primary elections.

“I very much oppose these proposed changes, by the current Brooklyn Democratic Party chair,” Mamdani stated, “I oppose them because they are an attempt to circumnavigate the will of voters.”

The suggestions from party chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn involve adding over two dozen voting members to the party’s executive committee. This group will play a pivotal role in selecting the party chair this fall. Following the recent primaries, reformers secured 22 district leader seats, as reported by the City Reporter.

Bichotte Hermelyn, along with her supporters, still controls a majority within the party as existing district leaders prepare to cast votes on the proposed changes. Although, newly elected leaders will officially assume their roles in the fall. She describes the proposed amendments as a means to enhance participation within the party, stating, “We want to create a perception of inclusiveness.”

In a video released by the Brooklyn Democratic organization, Bichotte Hermelyn said, “The proposals aim to expand leadership and representation.”

The reformers have chosen Julio Peña, a longtime Sunset Park district leader, as their candidate for the next party chair. The proposed changes, if passed, would allow the newly added voting members to take part in the fall leadership election.

Authorities like New York Attorney General Letitia James and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams also oppose the proposed changes. In a joint statement, they emphasized that “New Yorkers deserve leaders who are committed to serving their communities, not rewriting rules to hold onto power.” They highlighted that altering the executive committee structure ahead of a leadership vote contradicts Democratic values.

Another part of the proposal allows former party chairs to have a vote in future leadership elections, even if they are no longer district leaders. This would include individuals like Clarence Norman, a former party chair who resigned in 2005 due to corruption convictions.

Moreover, the proposed amendments could result in an expansion of the executive committee, with appointments of additional voting members from each Assembly district, potentially increasing the committee’s size to about 90 members.