On Oct. 4, 2026, Assemblywoman Nikki I. Lucas was elected to serve as the new Brooklyn Democratic Party chair, according to a press release from the Brooklyn Democratic Party.
Lucas represents the 60th Assembly District in Albany and serves as the Democratic District Leader and State Committee Member.
The election follows former party chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn’s resignation last week, after a controversy around her decision to change the group’s leadership selection parameters in August.
Lucas is one of five on the new executive leadership team, including Kensha Traynham-Cooper as the 1st Vice Chair, Félix W. Ortiz as the 2nd Vice Chair, Donald Day as secretary and Chris Durosinmi as assistant secretary.
“I am deeply honored by the vote of confidence from my fellow District Leaders and our Executive Committee,” Lucas said. “Brooklyn is the powerhouse of the Democratic coalition in New York and our party is at its strongest when we are united, transparent and rooted in our neighborhoods.”
The Executive Committee, composed of elected Democratic District leaders from each Assembly District across Kings County, holds authority to administer party operations and fill vacancies when necessary.
Outgoing Bichotte Hermelyn was the first Black woman and first Haitian American to chair a county committee in New York state.
“When I made the decision not to seek another term as Party Chair,” Bichotte Hermelyn said, “my goal was to ensure our party continued moving forward with strength, purpose and focus. I congratulate Chair Lucas and look forward to working side-by-side with her to deliver for Brooklyn.”
The new executive committee will continue working to coordinate general campaign operations, marshaling resources for South Brooklyn legislative organizing and expanding voter registration across the borough.
