Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn for NY Assembly District 43
Candidate Name: Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 43
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
As the daughter of Haitian immigrants born and raised in Brooklyn, I have represented with pride in the NYS Assembly the diverse communities in my district. My record in the Assembly centers on New Yorker’s rights to fair and affordable housing, healthcare, equitable education, economic opportunities and criminal justice reform. I will continue to be the trusted and reliable representative who always prioritizes the working immigrant base of the 42nd AD.
2. What LGBTQ+ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
From a professional standpoint, I have been involved in supporting LGBTQ+ organizations in my role as the Chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party.
3. What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBTQ+ issues, pro-choice legislation, racial justice, criminal justice have you attended, including rallies specifically against Donald Trump and his policies?
I have been to many of these types of events on all fronts. From legislation to rallies especially around criminal justice. As it relates to me being the County Chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, I have passed rules that allows the Board of Elections to do away with gender based designations for people running for County Committee, I have also created a permanent seat for LeGal, which is the LGBTQ+ Bar Association, I have helped to elect the first lesbian couple, two black women – one to serve as a Civil Court judge, one to serve as a Supreme Court judge. I have participated in Pride, and have been endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats and the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club in the past. Lastly, I have supported bias based profiling that was amended to include transgender people.
4. In light of the Trump Administration’s war on women, the LGBTQ+ community, minorities and immigrants, what are your plans to organize and combat the Trump agenda?
Elect more Democrats.
5. Will you seek or accept endorsements from individuals who oppose LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights?
Yes.
6. Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion?
Yes.
7. Have you hosted, funded or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community?
Not yet, but I am open to hosting, funding, and otherwise supporting Drag Story Hours in my community.
8. How will you work to enhance protections for immigrants and uphold New York’s role as a “Sanctuary City”?
The district I represent is home to one of the largest Black immigrant communities in the country, including significant populations of African and Caribbean immigrants, and it also contains the second largest Haitian immigrant community in America. Additionally, the area has a growing South Asian population. I was instrumental in establishing the Little Haiti business and cultural district, which acknowledges and celebrates the economic and residential contributions of Haitians in New York City. My district also includes an expanding South Asian community, where I celebrated the co-naming of Little Pakistan, as well as a large Jewish community. I strive to remain an accessible leader for neighborhood organizations, stakeholders, and community members. I will uphold New York’s role as a sanctuary city by supporting efforts to keep people’s private as well as support efforts that clearly delineate the role of local police to focus on local issues and not become entangled in federal enforcement.
9. Do you support New York becoming a Transgender Sanctuary State?
Yes.
10. If elected, will you commit to supporting legislation that raises taxes on the richest New Yorkers and large corporations in order to fund the services and investments our communities need?
Yes.
11. How will you represent the most vulnerable, including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers? Have you ever opposed any shelter in your district?
I represent the most vulnerable individuals now, including those experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers. In fact, I represent a community with the largest TPS holders and asylum seekers. In regard to shelters, no, I have not ever opposed any shelter in my district and I am also curious why shelters are not being slated for high-end neighborhoods.
12. Will you sponsor and support legislation which will ensure that state and local resources are not used to facilitate or cooperate with federal immigration enforcement (New York for All Act) to prevent the funneling of people into ICE custody, and the sharing of sensitive information with ICE?
Yes.
13. To advance safety and justice, New York must address our archaic sentencing and parole laws. Do you support the following key legislation: 1) Second Look Act (S.158/A.1283), which would allow judges to review and reconsider excessive sentences by considering if incarcerated people have transformed while incarcerated or based on changes in law and norms; 2) Earned Time Act (S.342/A.1085), which would strengthen and expand “good time” and “merit time” programs in prison that encourage personal transformation and reunite families?; 3) Marvin Mayfield Act (S.1209/A.1297), which would eliminate mandatory minimum sentences, thereby allowing judges to consider individual factors in a case?; 4) Elder Parole (S.454/A.514), which would allow incarcerated people over age 55 who have served 15 years the opportunity to go before the parole board?
Yes, to all.
14. Do you oppose the death penalty?
Yes.
15. Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?
Yes.
16. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated? Will you work to secure the release of individuals who have demonstrated sincere remorse, worked toward rehabilitation and are not deemed a threat to society?
Yes.
17. Do you commit to make applications for clemencies available to your constituency including a link to an application in a constituent newsletter? Will you submit it to our club?
Yes.
18. Did you rank Andrew Cuomo on your Democratic primary ballot in 2025? Who did you support for mayor in the 2025 Democratic primary and general election?
I supported former Mayor Eric Adams, then Andrew Cuomo and then I was the first county leader to support Zohran Mamdani on the night of the Primary as my candidate for the General Election.
19. In view of the fact that Ed Koch has been documented to have caused the deaths of scores of people with AIDS, excused city council members who voted against the gay rights bill and was blatantly racist, would you support and sponsor a bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge?
Yes.
20. What is your legislative remedy to secure the building of low and moderate-income housing around the state?
The best legislative remedy to secure buildings of low and moderate-income is to fund based on zip code analysis, which defines the real Area Median Income (AMI).
21. Will you refuse donations from AIPAC, SolidarityPAC, police and corrections associations, the fossil fuel industry, and the charter school industry?
Yes.
22. Do you support removing criminal penalties for consensual commercial sex work between adults? Also known as Cecilia's Act for Rights in the Sex Trades (S2513 Salazar / A3251 Forrest).
Yes, just as long as there are safety measures in place for the workers.
23. There is an effort to have mandatory inclusion of the New York State proposal that would require public schools to teach about the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, commonly described in the bill text as an “insurrection.” Do you support this proposal?
Yes.
24. What additional information would you like the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision?
I have a long track record of supporting all of the Club’s issues.
25. If you receive our endorsement, do you agree to identify the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club on all appropriate literature and electronic materials?
Yes.