LID February 12 2024 Candidate Questionnaires
Victoria Kelly | District Leader | AD 49
1) If elected, how would you work with other District Leaders to implement the changes
outlined in the pledge? Would you be willing to collaborate with a Reform Caucus of
District Leaders to do this?
If re-elected, I would continue to work with reform minded colleagues to advance the changes
outlined in the Brooklyn Can’t Wait pledge. Though I was not a BCW candidate in 2022, I
have formed friendships and working relationships with many BCW endorsed leaders to
discuss issues, judicial endorsements and party reform. I would definitely be willing to
caucus with reform minded leaders, as I have informally done over the years.
2) Once elected, how would you maintain communication with the Brooklyn Can’t Wait
coalition clubs about party reform efforts?
I’d be willing to come speak to clubs, engage with leadership and rank and file members and
join any internal communication channels.
3) When District Leaders who are endorsed by Brooklyn Can’t Wait work with coalition
clubs to create a strategy for enacting reforms, will you commit to supporting the
outcome of that collective process and helping to enact the reforms by attending
meetings and votes, and coordinating with other coalition members?
Yes, I can commit to continuing to participate with the Brooklyn Can’t Wait coalition and
supporting your external efforts to create change within the party.
4) Would you support dedicating significant funds to the party’s campaign account, instead
of exclusively fundraising for the Housekeeping account?
Yes- we need to for transparency and to be able to function as we should.
5) How should the Party spend money to support Democrats and build organizing
capacity?
I have been a leader since 2016, and have seen the party effectively use its resources to help
democrats win elections in difficult general elections though we have not done that in years.
The party should commit to spending money to help candidates and also towards off-cycle
organizing, through voter registration drives, civic engagement and other party building
activities. I think the party should listen the candidates and campaigns to address their needs
and pitch in where needed.
6) How do you think our local party can both increase its fundraising capacity and its
transparency regarding its finances?
As the largest democratic party in the state, possibly the country, we need a robust
fundraising operation that includes multiple levels of donations. To professionalize and have
funds to adequately invest in campaigns and party building, we do need to have high dollar
fundraising as we have typically done. We should also start a grassroots fundraising effort to
show that our party is people powered as well.
Regarding transparency, the Fundraising and FInance committee’s should provide regular,
thorough reports to the Executive Committee and County Committee.
7) What actions can you commit to that would give County Committee members more
opportunities to volunteer and participate?
We need to repeal the rule changes from a few years ago that limited county committee
engagement and cut the number of meetings that we formally come together. On the local
level, I would engage my county committee members and CC members from across the
borough to volunteer for close campaigns.
8) At County Committee meetings, the votes of all the members attending in person are
often overruled by hundreds of proxy votes held by a few allies of the Party Chair. Would
you support limiting the number of proxy votes one person can hold?
Yes, I am willing to commit to limiting the number of proxy votes. No one person should be
able to hold a majority of votes, or stockpile hundreds of proxies.
9) The current Judicial selection process is often opaque and does not give the public
many ways to provide input. If you had the power to change Brooklyn’s judicial selection
process, what is one change you would make to ensure that feedback from community
members who interact with the court system is fully considered?
The longer I am a district leader, the more sure I am that the current process of judicial
screening and electing judges in our way is flawed. Should judges be “made” through
favoritism of political parties? Absolutely not. Barring any dramatic action on the state level to
develop another system, we can make a lot of progress within our own systems to reform the
process and make it more transparent. Last year's forums and questionnaires were a good
start and I understand that some clubs had feedback and more input on how that process
could play out. We should absolutely fold those suggestions in moving forward. Since first
being elected, I’ve seen progress on opening this portion of the work up to more folks
(through club forums, district leader meet & greets, etc) but we absolutely must continue it.
10) Brooklyn Young Democrats, the chartered chapter affiliated with the NY State Young
Democrats and Young Democrats of America, are the official chartered chapter but are
currently not acknowledged as such by Brooklyn Democratic Party leadership. Do you
acknowledge The Brooklyn Young Democrats as the official and exclusive
representation of Brooklyn Young Democrats? Will you refrain from seeking
endorsement from any other group claiming to be Brooklyn Young Democrats that is not
chartered by the state and national Young Democrats?
There is only one real young democratic club in Brooklyn and that is the Brooklyn Young
Democrats. Period. Full Stop. I can commit to not working with the other club.
11) The Brooklyn Democratic Party has only recently started making changes, thanks in
great part to activism from Lambda Independent Democrats, to ensure representation
from the LGBTQIA+ community. How can a District Leader/State Committee Member
best support the LGBTQIA+ community?
My role as a district leader would be to uplift and amplify the voices of the LGBTQIA+
community and make sure that they are represented in the party and their concerns and
issues are addressed.
12) Do you commit to using inclusive and gender-neutral language in press releases and
other announcements (e.g., “the people of the..” instead of “the men and women of
the…”)?
Yes, 100%. I certainly try in my professional and private life, and commit to using inclusive
language.
13) As a Brooklyn District Leader, you will also be a New York State Democratic Party
Committee Member. What would be your goals as a State Committee member?
Could you define your position on abortion rights and restrictions, as well as on
gender-affirming health care?
What are your thoughts on any climate-related issues impacting your district?
I think my goals to being a state committee member would be to work with the party to invest
in the Asian American communities in our city that are turning to the right, and to bring change
to our party to make sure that we are investing in down ballot races. 2022 was a terrible year
for democrats in southern Brooklyn and while certainly not entirely the state party's fault, they
had warning and could have listened to organizers on the ground to help.
I am pro-choice and believe the abortion is healthcare and a right. I also am supportive of
gender affirming care and making it easier to access and afford it throughout our state.
The 49th Assembly District is facing many of the same climate related issues, though certainly
not as drastic as some coastal communities, we are all facing dramatic weather patterns and
changes. I am supportive of the offshore wind farms being built that have significant impacts
on Sunset Park and Red Hook. THey are crucial to our climate goals across the state. We can
do more, and we need to push our leaders to invest in climate efforts through the budget and
other legislation.
14) Why do you want to be endorsed by Brooklyn Can’t Wait?
I’m applying for Brooklyn Can’t Wait this year because I feel its goals and work are very
closely in line with what I would like to see our party become. In the past I have not had any
real, meaningful opposition and have shied away from endorsements and anything that might
take efforts away from those who did need outside assistance. This year, whether or not I
have a challenge, I would like to show the support of clubs and organizations I have worked
with over the years.
15) (Optional) Do you have any other ideas to improve the Brooklyn Democratic Party?
I have always wanted to professionalize the operations of the party. Experienced staff,
organizers and lawyers for petitions who assist the leaders in their AD’s and work for the
party, not the chair.
Robert Camacho | District Leader | AD 54
1) If elected, how would you work with other District Leaders to implement the changes
outlined in the pledge? Would you be willing to collaborate with a Reform Caucus of
District Leaders to do this?
Yes
2) Once elected, how would you maintain communication with the Brooklyn Can’t Wait
coalition clubs about party reform efforts?
Yes
3) When District Leaders who are endorsed by Brooklyn Can’t Wait work with coalition
clubs to create a strategy for enacting reforms, will you commit to supporting the
outcome of that collective process and helping to enact the reforms by attending
meetings and votes, and coordinating with other coalition members?
Yes
4) Would you support dedicating significant funds to the party’s campaign account, instead
of exclusively fundraising for the Housekeeping account?
Yes
5) How should the Party spend money to support Democrats and build organizing
capacity?
Give money to organization that are doing the work for Democratic like yours
6) How do you think our local party can both increase its fundraising capacity and its
transparency regarding its finances?
See how much is needed and have the community altogether to donate and work together and open
door policy on your books
7) What actions can you commit to that would give County Committee members more
opportunities to volunteer and participate?
Tried to persuade them to get involved that their voice counts
8) At County Committee meetings, the votes of all the members attending in person are
often overruled by hundreds of proxy votes held by a few allies of the Party Chair. Would
you support limiting the number of proxy votes one person can hold?
Yes
9) The current Judicial selection process is often opaque and does not give the public
many ways to provide input. If you had the power to change Brooklyn’s judicial selection
process, what is one change you would make to ensure that feedback from community
members who interact with the court system is fully considered?
Townhall so that people can hear from them
10) Brooklyn Young Democrats, the chartered chapter affiliated with the NY State Young
Democrats and Young Democrats of America, are the official chartered chapter but are
currently not acknowledged as such by Brooklyn Democratic Party leadership. Do you
acknowledge The Brooklyn Young Democrats as the official and exclusive
representation of Brooklyn Young Democrats? Will you refrain from seeking
endorsement from any other group claiming to be Brooklyn Young Democrats that is not
chartered by the state and national Young Democrats?
Yes
11) The Brooklyn Democratic Party has only recently started making changes, thanks in
great part to activism from Lambda Independent Democrats, to ensure representation
from the LGBTQIA+ community. How can a District Leader/State Committee Member
best support the LGBTQIA+ community?
Buy bringing you to the table with us
12) Do you commit to using inclusive and gender-neutral language in press releases and
other announcements (e.g., “the people of the..” instead of “the men and women of
the…”)?
Yes
13) As a Brooklyn District Leader, you will also be a New York State Democratic Party
Committee Member. What would be your goals as a State Committee member?
Could you define your position on abortion rights and restrictions, as well as on
gender-affirming health care?
What are your thoughts on any climate-related issues impacting your district?
Your body, your choice it’s real we need to see what’s the problem and address with state committee
members
14) Why do you want to be endorsed by Brooklyn Can’t Wait?
Because I can’t wait just like Brooklyn can’t wait and I know you can work hard to help me help us
15) (Optional) Do you have any other ideas to improve the Brooklyn Democratic Party?
Yes, open it up to everyone which is hard to do. Everybody needs to be heard and seen and helped.
Shaquana Boykin | District Leader | AD 57
1) If elected, how would you work with other District Leaders to implement the changes
outlined in the pledge? Would you be willing to collaborate with a Reform Caucus of
District Leaders to do this?
Yes
2) Once elected, how would you maintain communication with the Brooklyn Can’t Wait
coalition clubs about party reform efforts?
Updates at meetings and I am good at sending quick text as well to keep up in the loop.
3) When District Leaders who are endorsed by Brooklyn Can’t Wait work with coalition
clubs to create a strategy for enacting reforms, will you commit to supporting the
outcome of that collective process and helping to enact the reforms by attending
meetings and votes, and coordinating with other coalition members?
Yes I commit to these goals
4) Would you support dedicating significant funds to the party’s campaign account, instead
of exclusively fundraising for the Housekeeping account?
Yes but still figuring out a plan to execute this
5) How should the Party spend money to support Democrats and build organizing
capacity?
The Party should not be fighting other democrats and be a support for civic engagement, voter
registration, engage and activate county committee members as 1st line organizers and building civic
community block by block. The Party should allocate funding to districts to do this and provide voter
education from districts to presidential
6) How do you think our local party can both increase its fundraising capacity and its
transparency regarding its finances?
I have no doubt that they are raising funds and could get more if we knew where the funds are going
more would donate. Transparency has not been demonstrated as 2nd term district leader I attend
fundraisers and ask can we use for civic engagement and it goes no where. I would like to work on
funding that can be use in our districts not to divide but to empower democrats.
7) What actions can you commit to that would give County Committee members more
opportunities to volunteer and participate?
Voter Registration drives, ADC meetings & county committee district policy meetings with other district
leaders. hopefully this will activate Democratic Party to do better with the amazing County Committee
members we have to empower and build capacity.
8) At County Committee meetings, the votes of all the members attending in person are
often overruled by hundreds of proxy votes held by a few allies of the Party Chair. Would
you support limiting the number of proxy votes one person can hold?
As a second year District Leader I see the need for proxy limits when its abused. The role of proxy are
incase CC members can’t attend but I have noticed some districts get CC members that are not active
just to take they proxy vote and that’s unfortunate. I would support limiting number
9) The current Judicial selection process is often opaque and does not give the public
many ways to provide input. If you had the power to change Brooklyn’s judicial selection
process, what is one change you would make to ensure that feedback from community
members who interact with the court system is fully considered?
Its very multilayered as a second year district leader I would and have started having mixers in Jan
instead May giving district more opportunities to meet before they on ballot and during.
10) Brooklyn Young Democrats, the chartered chapter affiliated with the NY State Young
Democrats and Young Democrats of America, are the official chartered chapter but are
currently not acknowledged as such by Brooklyn Democratic Party leadership. Do you
acknowledge The Brooklyn Young Democrats as the official and exclusive
representation of Brooklyn Young Democrats? Will you refrain from seeking
endorsement from any other group claiming to be Brooklyn Young Democrats that is not
chartered by the state and national Young Democrats?
Im BYd all day
11) The Brooklyn Democratic Party has only recently started making changes, thanks in
great part to activism from Lambda Independent Democrats, to ensure representation
from the LGBTQIA+ community. How can a District Leader/State Committee Member
best support the LGBTQIA+ community?
As District Leader/State Committee Member I can best support LGBTQIA+ community by making sure I
show up in the capacity of building connections that support and diversify the courts as well to reflect
LGBTQIA+ i community values
12) Do you commit to using inclusive and gender-neutral language in press releases and
other announcements (e.g., “the people of the..” instead of “the men and women of
the...”)?
Of course!
13) As a Brooklyn District Leader, you will also be a New York State Democratic Party
Committee Member. What would be your goals as a State Committee member?
Could you define your position on abortion rights and restrictions, as well as on
gender-affirming health care?
What are your thoughts on any climate-related issues impacting your district?
As a Second term State Committee member with other members we formed a caucus and we
communicate via chats. We have been making resolutions around Health including gender-affirming
resolutions, climate and land resolutions , and social workers in courts resolutions and I hope to
continue working to create resolutions that the state could focus on. Unfortunately even as a State
Committee members the leadership tries to kill the resolution before it hits the floor or if it does they
dont explain why our resolutions are failed.
14) Why do you want to be endorsed by Brooklyn Can’t Wait?
As a Second term District Leader I value partnership and building people power. I hope that this year
singing this pledge all district leaders are held accountable and we not just saying yes.
15) (Optional) Do you have any other ideas to improve the Brooklyn Democratic Party?
At this point excuse my language F the Party I am the Party so how I am working to improve the party
is doing my best to be the example I want the Democratic Party to be.
David Alexis | District Leader | AD 58
1) If elected, how would you work with other District Leaders to implement the changes
outlined in the pledge? Would you be willing to collaborate with a Reform Caucus of
District Leaders to do this?
I would be looking to work with the Brooklyn Cant wait Reform caucus to fight for the goals outlined in
the pledge. I would also be interested in recruiting other district leaders to our cause.
2) Once elected, how would you maintain communication with the Brooklyn Can’t Wait
coalition clubs about party reform efforts?
I believe regular meetings and likely a chat group would be essential to staying on the same page and
organizes
3) When District Leaders who are endorsed by Brooklyn Can’t Wait work with coalition
clubs to create a strategy for enacting reforms, will you commit to supporting the
outcome of that collective process and helping to enact the reforms by attending
meetings and votes, and coordinating with other coalition members?
Absolutely. The Current centralized position of our the Brooklyn Democratic party operates promotes
corrupted and puts a chokehold on change and major benefits that democratic participation can have
on the party and our constituents
4) Would you support dedicating significant funds to the party’s campaign account, instead
of exclusively fundraising for the Housekeeping account?
Absolutely. If we are going to be a proper party we need to make sure we can offer support to
candidates and expand voter participation.
5) How should the Party spend money to support Democrats and build organizing
capacity?
The party should hold more Town Halls, voter registration drives, recruitment of community members
into the party apparatus and policy solution discussions that really meet the communities need. The
party should be able to strengthen community participation, expand th Democratic party constituency,
clarity on the party line and community led policy discussions
6) How do you think our local party can both increase its fundraising capacity and its
transparency regarding its finances?
Not only can the party change how it fundraises, e.g. focusing on small dollar donations, it can also
provide public disclosures of fundraising amounts and provide evidence of the Party moving away from
corruption
7) What actions can you commit to that would give County Committee members more
opportunities to volunteer and participate?
By reforming the internal structures of the party, we can give County Committee members more
substantial voting power on party decisions and forums where they can bring ideas, issues and
solutions that can be debated within the party
8) At County Committee meetings, the votes of all the members attending in person are
often overruled by hundreds of proxy votes held by a few allies of the Party Chair. Would
you support limiting the number of proxy votes one person can hold?
Yes, this is anti-democratic and is part of the process that reproduces the corruption of the party
9) The current Judicial selection process is often opaque and does not give the public
many ways to provide input. If you had the power to change Brooklyn’s judicial selection
process, what is one change you would make to ensure that feedback from community
members who interact with the court system is fully considered?
The most important part is breaking down and making more transparent the process through which the
judicial selection is made. Possibly adding opportunities for county committee members an opportunity
to weigh in on the judicial nominee process.
10) Brooklyn Young Democrats, the chartered chapter affiliated with the NY State Young
Democrats and Young Democrats of America, are the official chartered chapter but are
currently not acknowledged as such by Brooklyn Democratic Party leadership. Do you
acknowledge The Brooklyn Young Democrats as the official and exclusive
representation of Brooklyn Young Democrats? Will you refrain from seeking
endorsement from any other group claiming to be Brooklyn Young Democrats that is not
chartered by the state and national Young Democrats?
Yes
11) The Brooklyn Democratic Party has only recently started making changes, thanks in
great part to activism from Lambda Independent Democrats, to ensure representation
from the LGBTQIA+ community. How can a District Leader/State Committee Member
best support the LGBTQIA+ community?
We can not only work more closely with Lambda Independent Democrats but other LGBTQIA+
organizations on participation in the Brooklyn Democratic party and honest collaboration on learning
and supporting the community through some of the biggest issues that face the community. This is
especially important given the behavior and policy coming out of the Republican party
12) Do you commit to using inclusive and gender-neutral language in press releases and
other announcements (e.g., “the people of the..” instead of “the men and women of
the...”)?
Yes, to the best of my ability
13) As a Brooklyn District Leader, you will also be a New York State Democratic Party
Committee Member. What would be your goals as a State Committee member?
Could you define your position on abortion rights and restrictions, as well as on
gender-affirming health care?
What are your thoughts on any climate-related issues impacting your district?
I support Abortion Rights without restriction and I support gender affirming healthcare. I believe that
climate catastrophe is one of the biggest existential threats facing our country. In the 58th Assembtly
district, flooding of basements and loss of property, development of mold and other health hazards
happen at increasing rates with each major climate event. We are having them more frequently and we
need to do what we can to push for policy that protects our communities
14) Why do you want to be endorsed by Brooklyn Can’t Wait?
I believe the Brooklyn Cant wait slate offers an opportunity to improve the Brooklyn Democratic party.
As someone who got involved with politics after 2016 and was horrified by the rampant corruption of
the Democratic National Committee during the election and how they handled reformers made clear the
importance of transparency, democracy and competent leadership and infrastructure
15) (Optional) Do you have any other ideas to improve the Brooklyn Democratic Party?
Widad Hassan | District Leader | AD 56
1) If elected, how would you work with other District Leaders to implement the changes
outlined in the pledge? Would you be willing to collaborate with a Reform Caucus of
District Leaders to do this?
I would work on collaborating and coordinating with other district leaders on efforts and
strategies to ensure we are being inclusive and intentional in our work to include historically
marginalized communities in the democratic process. Yes, I would collaborate with the Reform
Caucus to do this.
2) Once elected, how would you maintain communication with the Brooklyn Can’t Wait
coalition clubs about party reform efforts?
I would keep in a open line of communication where updates & news can be shared and
reform efforts. I usually use signal or email for this work.
3) When District Leaders who are endorsed by Brooklyn Can’t Wait work with coalition
clubs to create a strategy for enacting reforms, will you commit to supporting the
outcome of that collective process and helping to enact the reforms by attending
meetings and votes, and coordinating with other coalition members?
Yes
4) Would you support dedicating significant funds to the party’s campaign account, instead
of exclusively fundraising for the Housekeeping account?
Yes, this structure makes the most sense and will be more beneficial and transparent.
5) How should the Party spend money to support Democrats and build organizing
capacity?
The Party needs to meaningfully engage with the diverse communities in NYC before and
during election season. That work looks like offering campaign materials, workshops & paid
canvassers that speak the languages in the district. A major challenge we’ve had in Bay
Ridge is Arabic interpreters for Election Day as well as during phone banking and canvassing
are usually always volunteers so engagement with these communities during election season
is dependent on their availability.
6) How do you think our local party can both increase its fundraising capacity and its
transparency regarding its finances?
Fundraising to the campaign committee rather than the housekeeping account.
7) What actions can you commit to that would give County Committee members more
opportunities to volunteer and participate?
Creating an Assembly District Committee where district leaders and county committee
members and local electeds can coordinate and collaborate on issues within district as well as
information share.
8) At County Committee meetings, the votes of all the members attending in person are
often overruled by hundreds of proxy votes held by a few allies of the Party Chair. Would
you support limiting the number of proxy votes one person can hold?
Yes
9) The current Judicial selection process is often opaque and does not give the public
many ways to provide input. If you had the power to change Brooklyn’s judicial selection
process, what is one change you would make to ensure that feedback from community
members who interact with the court system is fully considered?
I think having open forums and community meetings with judges prior to selection is important
both for people to understand more how this can impact them and also for judges to be more
10) Brooklyn Young Democrats, the chartered chapter affiliated with the NY State Young
Democrats and Young Democrats of America, are the official chartered chapter but are
currently not acknowledged as such by Brooklyn Democratic Party leadership. Do you
acknowledge The Brooklyn Young Democrats as the official and exclusive
representation of Brooklyn Young Democrats? Will you refrain from seeking
endorsement from any other group claiming to be Brooklyn Young Democrats that is not
chartered by the state and national Young Democrats?
Yes
11) The Brooklyn Democratic Party has only recently started making changes, thanks in
great part to activism from Lambda Independent Democrats, to ensure representation
from the LGBTQIA+ community. How can a District Leader/State Committee Member
best support the LGBTQIA+ community?
Offer listening sessions to hear more on challenges and experiences. Work with local orgs
doing the work on the ground and amplify their work and concerns to county committee.
12) Do you commit to using inclusive and gender-neutral language in press releases and
other announcements (e.g., “the people of the..” instead of “the men and women of
the...”)?
Yes
13) As a Brooklyn District Leader, you will also be a New York State Democratic Party
Committee Member. What would be your goals as a State Committee member?
Could you define your position on abortion rights and restrictions, as well as on
gender-affirming health care?
What are your thoughts on any climate-related issues impacting your district?
My goal as a state committee member is amplify marginalized voices as well bridge the gap
between them the Democratic Party.
Abortion rights and gender affirming health care should be protected and not restricted by
government.
Climate issue is a global issue that all our cities need to take a role in addressing. Concerning
for me as I live near the shore.
14) Why do you want to be endorsed by Brooklyn Can’t Wait?
To be endorsed by a coalition of progressive political parties committed to reform and
improving the landscape of Brooklyn politics and Democratic Party
15) (Optional) Do you have any other ideas to improve the Brooklyn Democratic Party?
Other than having interpreters consistently available during election season, I think ongoing
political education between elections on civic engagement, city and state government
structure is important both for immigrant voters as well as the youth. The Brooklyn Democratic
Party also needs to be more reflective of its democratic members. The Party will lose votes
and members if it doesn’t continue to work on building meaningful relationships and inclusion
of diverse communities, which at times entails addressing the tensions and pain historically
marginalized communities may have with the party.
Mark Hanna | District Leader | AD 64
1) If elected, how would you work with other District Leaders to implement the changes
outlined in the pledge? Would you be willing to collaborate with a Reform Caucus of
District Leaders to do this?
I am very willing to collaborate with a Reform Caucus of District Leaders to implement the changes
from the pledge. I believe that with enough members, that caucus will finally be able to have the
necessary control over voting within the party to create real reform. We would be able to coordinate to
resolve issues related to the judicial nominating process, push the party to involve itself structurally and
materially in important elections in south Brooklyn, and prevent a party leader from implementing their
will wantonly and without regard for democracy at large.
2) Once elected, how would you maintain communication with the Brooklyn Can’t Wait
coalition clubs about party reform efforts?
I commit myself to attending club meetings and events as much as possible. I'm always happy to be
available to speak at these meetings about the party and the efforts being made. I like to be accessible
for communications by phone and email. Additionally, I will always volunteer any time I have to
champion issues and candidates the clubs support, even if they are well outside my own district or
personal interests - because solidarity in those regards is what keeps us together while broadening our
positive influence on local politics.
3) When District Leaders who are endorsed by Brooklyn Can’t Wait work with coalition
clubs to create a strategy for enacting reforms, will you commit to supporting the
outcome of that collective process and helping to enact the reforms by attending
meetings and votes, and coordinating with other coalition members?
Yes. Being a member of a group means respecting the work that goes along with that membership. I
believe that being active and participating is necessary to demonstrate my commitment and respect for
the goals we've outlined in our pledge.
4) Would you support dedicating significant funds to the party’s campaign account, instead
of exclusively fundraising for the Housekeeping account?
This is how the party should operate. It’s inappropriate for the party to use the housekeeping funds
exclusively - because there is no oversight. They should be using the campaign/committee accounts.
5) How should the Party spend money to support Democrats and build organizing
capacity?
The party can look to other organizations, such as Rep Your Block, to see what an efficient use of funds
can do to build capacity. More can always be done to provide awareness to the population about the
workings of Democrats in the County. Holding more meetings, increasing county committee
involvement, providing support to build Assembly District Committees, or simply promoting democrats
running for office in contested races against Republicans are other important ways that the Party
should be expending resources.
6) How do you think our local party can both increase its fundraising capacity and its
transparency regarding its finances?
Fundraising to the campaign committee rather than the housekeeping account, as indicated above, is a
good start. I believe that being more dedicated to the county, rather than just certain pockets of it, with
regards to organizing and electioneering, would increase the fundraising capacity naturally. The party is
too focused on consolidation of power internally, which is myopic and is quite likely actively harming the
future of the party.
7) What actions can you commit to that would give County Committee members more
opportunities to volunteer and participate?
One of my goals during my term was to try to find new people who would be interested in participating
in county politics. My district, AD64, notoriously has only 36 county committee seats, total. Recruiting
people to join my local club as well as to join canvasses for the City Council race were good for
developing in some small way, a sense of political community, and fostering that among the County
Committee members is important. Because of how few actual seats there are, I've determined to
commit myself to creating a Signal chat with all of the members, so that we can check in with each
other more regularly and highlight opportunities in the neighborhood.
8) At County Committee meetings, the votes of all the members attending in person are
often overruled by hundreds of proxy votes held by a few allies of the Party Chair. Would
you support limiting the number of proxy votes one person can hold?
Yes. A reasonable limitation that ensures that the needs of the people who are differently abled are
protected, while also preventing the kinds of mass fraud perpetuated by the party currently - is needed.
9) The current Judicial selection process is often opaque and does not give the public
many ways to provide input. If you had the power to change Brooklyn’s judicial selection
process, what is one change you would make to ensure that feedback from community
members who interact with the court system is fully considered?
I believe that the current progress that is being made to host public forums and, in general, provide
more opportunity for judicial candidates to face the public directly, is good and should continue. Judges
and judicial candidates simply do not interface with the public enough during their races, and there is a
lot of room to grow in that regard.
10) Brooklyn Young Democrats, the chartered chapter affiliated with the NY State Young
Democrats and Young Democrats of America, are the official chartered chapter but are
currently not acknowledged as such by Brooklyn Democratic Party leadership. Do you
acknowledge The Brooklyn Young Democrats as the official and exclusive
representation of Brooklyn Young Democrats? Will you refrain from seeking
endorsement from any other group claiming to be Brooklyn Young Democrats that is not
chartered by the state and national Young Democrats?
Yeah, the only BYD that I'm interested in is the real one. I will not seek any endorsement by any group
claiming to be BYD that isn't chartered.
11) The Brooklyn Democratic Party has only recently started making changes, thanks in
great part to activism from Lambda Independent Democrats, to ensure representation
from the LGBTQIA+ community. How can a District Leader/State Committee Member
best support the LGBTQIA+ community?
Like any marginalized or minority community, the best ways to support people is to first accept the
community as one with interests that must be respected and uplifted. By listening, hearing and holding
the needs of the community, by being in it and interacting with organizations and individuals who
represent the larger community and, importantly, following up on those needs. As a District Leader, I
can foster personal relationships with politicians and be in rooms where I have an opportunity to speak
up on issues I believe in - and I believe that it is incumbent upon me to do so.
12) Do you commit to using inclusive and gender-neutral language in press releases and
other announcements (e.g., “the people of the..” instead of “the men and women of
the...”)?
Yes, definitely.
13) As a Brooklyn District Leader, you will also be a New York State Democratic Party
Committee Member. What would be your goals as a State Committee member?
Could you define your position on abortion rights and restrictions, as well as on
gender-affirming health care?
What are your thoughts on any climate-related issues impacting your district?
My goal as a state committee member is to consistently vote in favor of progressive resolutions and to
encourage other State Committee Members to do the same.
I support the right to choose and believe that people are entitled to the healthcare that they need and
want. Medical bigotry is horrendous.
Like every district in Brooklyn, or really globally, climate change impacts us in ways both visibly and
invisibly. Storms are worsening, temperatures are more erratic, but as Bay Ridge is one of the largest
naturally occurring retirement communities in NY, those types of otherwise simple concerns can be fatal
for our aging population. As time goes on, climate related catastrophies are only going to worsen and I
expect that heat waves and wet bulb weather events will become more common. The infrastructure in
my district, or anywhere, probably, will be adequate to handle any of the possible coming problems.
14) Why do you want to be endorsed by Brooklyn Can’t Wait?
I want to continue to be a part of the changing landscape of Brooklyn politics. I believe that the coalition
of progressive organizations involved in BCW represent a more diverse, more democratic and more
egalitarian vision of local politics that I support and want to promote.
15) (Optional) Do you have any other ideas to improve the Brooklyn Democratic Party?