Assemblywoman Diana Richardson (Crown Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Wingate and Flatbush) a hardcore democratic ideologist, or in her own words “cut from a different cloth,” has fired political shots at her opponent former Senator Jesse Hamilton as well as most of Brooklyn’s prominent electeds in the battle for the 43rd Assembly District seat.
In the foreground, Richardson and other city officials have overwhelmingly banded together to finally make headway in policing method reforms as powerful anti-police brutality and anti-racist protests have only gotten larger across Brooklyn despite a citywide curfew last week.
However, in the background, it would seem from Richardson’s charged Facebook live post that she is less than dissatisfied with her colleagues about the upcoming race and general political climate in Brooklyn.
Richardson originally addressed the “attacks and nonsense” surrounding Hamilton in similar fashion on Facebook back in 2018. Hamilton lost his senate seat, to current State Senator Zellnor Myrie, which was largely attributed to Hamilton’s affiliation with the disbanded Independent Democratic Conference (IDC).
She denounced Hamilton, calling him a Democrat that doesn’t caucus with other Democrats, but with Democrats who vote Republican. A claim supported two years ago by progressive organizations, like True Blue NY, which also referred to him and other IDC members as turncoats.
A political tactic, explained Assemblymember Walter T. Mosley, that he’s seen recently with controversial bail reforms in January and much-needed police reforms last week that have generated progressive legislation and received pushback from a small group of Democrats.
“What we want to make sure is that people who are elected as Democrats based upon the principles and ideals that people presume of a Democrat,” said Mosley, “you know, remain even as they drive up the New York City freeway. That they don’t transform into something different.”
Richardson’s claiming Hamilton’s decision to run against her in the assembly race now is not only a demotion but a “retribution campaign” supported by other lawmakers.
Richardson then goes on to harangue about these other alleged “snakes” in Central Brooklyn offices, namely the first woman of color to chair the Kings County Democratic Party Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte (D-Flatbush, Ditmas Park), along with former County Chair Frank Seddio, Deputy Borough President and Chaplain Ingrid P. Lewis-Martin, and Borough President Eric Adams.
She said all are in cahoots to take her position as an incumbent from her in the 43rd District because of their connection to Hamilton, and BP Adams’ ambitions to become Mayor and make current First Lady Chirlane Irene McCray the new Brooklyn Borough President.
“I recall the seat belongs to the people,” said Richardson in the video, “I recall that people go to the booth and vote–every election cycle.”
She said that the above-mentioned officials are losing track and are not being loyal to the constituents that voted them in, but more interested in playing machiavellian games.
It’s unconfirmed if there’s an alleged conspiracy against her personally or if she is a bystander of political wheeling-and-dealings. It’s also not proven if anyone listed in Richardson’s rant is supporting Hamilton because of her reasoning.
However, it has been confirmed that neither the female Democratic 43rd Assembly District Leader Shirley Patterson or her male District Leader Edu Hermelyn, carried Richardson’s name on their nominating petitions. Hermelyn was Richardson’s former chief of staff, but sources say the two did not have a smooth parting of ways.
A spokesperson for the Brooklyn (Kings County) Democratic Party declined to comment on the Hamilton/Richardson race, did put out a release yesterday saying that Bichotte is endorsing Assemblywoman Tremaine Wright’s bid to move to the State Senate, Stefani Zinerman’s bid to replace Wright in the Assembly, and Darma Diaz’s bid for the Bushwick-based 37th Council district to replace Rafael Espinal who resigned earlier this year.
Deputy Borough President Lewis-Martin refused to comment. Jesse Hamilton and Frank Seddio couldn’t be reached for comments. BP Adams’ office hasn’t responded yet.
