STANDING Brooklyn’s Biggest Booster
Democratic bigwigs host Williamsburg fundraiser
Political heavyweights from the borough’s Democratic Party held a high-dollar fundraiser on Feb. 20. Photos by Derrick Watterson
CAMILLE SPERRAZZA
Democratic bigwigs gathered in Williamsburg on
Feb. 20 for a high-dollar fundraiser hosted by the party’s
newly crowned leader, Assemblywoman Rodneyse
Bichotte.
“To have a strong Democratic Party, we must
have a strong treasury,” Bichotte said. “We need to
have enough money in our treasury to fund day-today
operations, hold our county committee meetings,
and most importantly, ensure that Democrats
are winning elections on the local, city and state levels.”
Bichotte assumed the reins atop the party in January
after outgoing boss Frank Seddio announced his
resignation, and pledged to turn around the party’s
dwindling fi nances and unite borough’s political factions.
After speaking of the obstacles she had overcome
COURIER L 32 IFE, FEB. 28-MAR. 5, 2020
to reach her position, Bichotte doubled down on her
commitment to “building a unifi ed and civically engaged
Brooklyn, and a robust, responsible party committee.”
The fundraiser, held at Giando on the Water on Kent
Avenue, came amid a dwindling bank account within
the county’s Democratic Party, which had just $32,800
on hand as of July 2019, compared with $505,000 in
2013, according to a NY Daily News report.
Party leaders have blamed the lack of funds on
their decision to swear off donations from real estate
developers, who had previously made up a disproportionately
high percentage of contributions.
Several District Leaders spoke of Bichotte’s
promising fundraising abilities, in addition to her
proven track record of supporting candidates to
victory.
“You see it in how she’s gone above and beyond for
candidates she has endorsed, whether it be mayoral, or
more recently, the Public Advocate and City Council
races just last year,” said District Leader Josue Pierre.
“By tackling the fi nance issue now, she’ll have the resources
needed to address many of the other issues
which concern the progressive and moderate wings of
our local party.”
The night’s marque guest, Governor Andrew
Cuomo, addressed the crowd to reminisce about old
school Brooklyn politics, before the borough was invaded
by reform minded politicos in the form of the
Democratic Socialists of America branch and the New
Kings Democrats.
“I remember the Brooklyn Democratic Party when
it ruled the land,” said the governor. “You didn’t have
these other groups coming in and saying ‘let me tell
you what Brooklyn needs, I know I’m 25-years-old and
I just came from Kansas. I see the light.’”
Party boss Rodneyse Bichotte delivers remarks. Governor Cuomo greets guests. Councilman Justin Brannan and Mark Meyer Appel