U. S. Sen. and Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Kings County Democratic Party Chair and Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn (D–Flatbush, Ditmas Park) had a pre-Super Bowl power lunch at Bonafini Restaurant, 663 Flatbush Avenue in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, sources told KCP.
The two politically powerful Brooklynites discussed a number of issues in the heated outdoor dining area as the latest snowfall blanketed the borough. Bichiotte reportedly had a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup while Schumer chowed down on an omelet.
“New Yorkers are extremely fortunate to have Brooklyn’s own Sen. Schumer, a true self-made leader, representing our interests in Washington. Yesterday, the majority leader and I discussed our borough’s recovery over lunch. Our city desperately needs federal stimulus dollars to recover from the economic and health impacts of the pandemic,” said Bichotte Hermelyn.
“We will be working together to make sure Brooklyn’s small/MWBE businesses, restaurants and places of worship receive the support they need to make it through the winter and get back on their feet as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. We also discussed equity in education and getting students in Brooklyn the resources they desperately need,” she added.
While Schumer’s clout as federal lawmakers is well recognized, the James Madison High School graduate remains with an ear to the ground in local politics having served Brooklyn in the Assembly and the House before being elected to the Senate.
Most recently, Schumer spoke at the inauguration of freshman State Sen. Jabari Brisport.
Bichotte, whose political star continues on the rise, is one of the powerful Black political leaders to have come out of Central Brooklyn in recent years, making the borough a power base for the city and the state’s Black leadership.
Among the other powerful Black lawmakers from Central Brooklyn include State Attorney General Letitcia James, U.S. Reps. Hakeem Jeffries and Yvette Clarke, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Assemblywoman Latrice Walker, State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, and City Councilmembers Alicka Ampry-Samuel and Robert Cornegy Jr.
Brooklyn is roughly a third Black.
