A THOUSAND NEW YORK COUNTY DEMOCRATS GATHER TO ELECT PARTY OFFICERS DURING LIVELY MEETING AT STATE PARK NAMED AFTER FORMER COUNTY LEADER

NEW YORK, NY (October 8, 2019) – On Thursday, October 3, 2019, upwards of 1,000 Manhattan Democrats gathered at Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park for the County Committee Organizing Meeting. This meeting—statutorily required to occur once every two years—provides the opportunity for the elected New York County Democratic Committee members to gather in order to elect their internal leadership and set the Party on its course for the next two years.

As many have noted, this year’s meeting was the first after New York State law moved up the date of the primary elections to match the Federal elections. This change in statute enacted language that was not definitively clear with respect to which County Committee members would be able to vote—those elected during the 2017 primary election, or those from 2019. While individuals differed on the interpretation of the statute, the Manhattan Democratic Party sought to achieve clarification so as not to run contrary to the law. Thankfully, due to the helpful actions of District Leaders, the Party was able to obtain a Judicial Order that clarified the statute and ensured that County Committee members elected in 2019 would be the voting body at the organizing meeting.

“It’s important that passionate, local leaders who stay active in their communities and petition to obtain a seat on County Committee have an opportunity to vote to set the direction of the Party,” said County Leader Keith L.T. Wright. “But as County Leader, it’s also important that I do all I can to ensure that the organization abides by the letter of the law and avoids legal trouble that would have detrimental effects. I’m glad we were able to resolve this issue in time for our meeting, and that we could come together to execute what was a raucous but essential exercise in democracy.”

Thursday’s County Committee Organizing Meeting hosted lively and passionate elections for several officer positions within the Party. After over 750 votes were cast, the members of the New York County Democratic Committee elected the following leaders for the next two years: Domenico “Nico” Minerva, Chairman; Barry Weinberg, Secretary; Charlette Mimiasie, Treasurer; Kyle H. Ishmael, 1st Vice Chair; Louise Dankberg, 2nd Vice Chair; Kelmy Rodriquez, 3rd Vice Chair; Ny Whitaker, Vice Treasurer; Robert Jackson, Sergeant-at-Arms; and Steven Skyles-Mulligan, Parliamentarian.