A Brooklyn assemblywoman who leads the Democratic Party in the borough has now thrown her weight behind former Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, choosing him over Mayor Eric Adams in the coming mayoral race.
Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn’s decision marks one of the strongest signs that the political alliance that helped Adams secure victory in 2021 has broken apart. She has not only pledged her support to Cuomo but will also act as his senior political adviser, though her role is symbolic.
Despite standing with Adams during difficult moments, including last year when he was indicted on five federal corruption charges, and more recently when he faced accusations of a deal with the Trump administration to get those charges dropped, Bichotte Hermelyn has now changed direction.
Her switch comes as Adams faces increasing political pressure, multiple primary opponents, and very low approval ratings, all of which are making it harder for him to secure a second term.
“He already has the experience and the kind of track record that shows he can immediately step in and provide calm, responsible leadership,” Bichotte Hermelyn said during an interview.
Brooklyn’s Political View Starts to Tilt
Adams has always counted on Brooklyn’s support, particularly from Black voters, given that he previously served as both a state senator and Brooklyn borough president. Bichotte Hermelyn’s backing of Cuomo is expected to help pull more supporters toward the former governor.
“I feel honored to receive support from the leader of a county that has more Democrats than any other in the entire country,” Cuomo said in a written statement. Even though Adams keeps saying that he’s planning to run again, his actions have not clearly shown that.
At the moment, his campaign is small and lacks energy. Unlike most incumbents, he has not launched a strong petition drive or held any public campaign events this year. Also, several top political advisers who were helping him by this stage in 2021 are now absent.
Another concern for the mayor is how slow his campaign fund-raising has become. The city’s Campaign Finance Board recently ruled that Adams broke rules that protect the public funding system, so he is not expected to receive the $4.3 million he would have qualified for.
Cuomo Endorsement Brings Past Questions Back Into View
Though Bichotte Hermelyn had previously joined other officials in calling for Cuomo to step down after a report from the state attorney general accused him of harassing 11 women, she says she is now comfortable with endorsing him since he was never charged in court.
“As someone who has personally experienced sexual violence and fought for women’s rights, I deeply understand the need to treat such claims with care and seriousness,” she said. “But I also believe that legal matters should be handled in court, not judged by public reaction.”
Her husband, Edu Hermelyn, is currently working with Mercury Public Affairs and is part of the team guiding Cuomo’s campaign. Edu Hermelyn also holds a seat on the State Democratic Committee and serves as a district leader in Brooklyn.
He had joined Adams’s administration as a senior adviser but stepped down when questions were raised about rules that limit political activity for city employees in high-ranking posts.
More Political Allies Move Away from Adams
Bichotte Hermelyn’s exit from Adams’s support base is just one among many. Ruben Diaz Jr., the previous Bronx borough president, has endorsed Cuomo. Eddie Gibbs, an East Harlem assemblyman who once backed Adams, is also now with Cuomo.
Sources close to Representative Adriano Espaillat have said that he may not support Adams again because of the mayor’s cooperation with the Trump administration regarding immigration policy.
Bichotte Hermelyn shared that she personally contacted Adams to let him know of her endorsement and that he confirmed his decision to seek re-election. “This is about believing Cuomo is the right person, not about going against Mayor Adams,” she said.
She also responded to a recent article in The New York Post that claimed Adams might run as an independent. As the leader of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, she said, “I must remain loyal to the Democratic Party and support those running under its banner.”
Even though many supporters have left, Adams has continued to express confidence that he will stay in the race and win.
“You don’t win by endorsements. You win by putting in the work and speaking directly to people,” Adams said during a recent press briefing. “I’ve run tough campaigns before, and I’m very clear on how to communicate with voters. That’s what I’m going to keep doing.”
