Democratic Party district leaders Tony Ying Ko and Joyce Xie held a fundraising dinner in Brooklyn on the afternoon of September 28 to lay the groundwork for their re-election campaign next year. The event attracted nearly a hundred community members, including elected officials such as Councilman Benson Ho, State Assemblyman William Colton, State Assemblyman Grace Lee representing Manhattan’s Chinatown, as well as Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party and State Assemblywoman, all coming together to endorse the two district leaders.
In accordance with regulations, all official political parties in New York State must have at least one male and one female District Leader in each Assembly District (AD), with the positions filled every two years through primary elections. District Leaders serve as representatives of party members in the district, with responsibilities including serving on the County Democratic Committee Executive Committee, recruiting and hiring election day staff, attending party meetings and events on behalf of the district, listening to residents’ concerns, focusing on issues like housing, education, public safety, mobilizing the community, coordinating resources, and influencing judicial nominations and party elections.
As a result, District Leaders are seen as the grassroots backbone of local politics in New York, impacting the Democratic Party’s nomination process and community development significantly.
Councilman Benson Ho noted that the role of District Leaders was not well-known in the community in the past, but since Tony Ying Ko and Joyce Xie took office, the community has finally recognized who is truly leading them. He specifically highlighted Joyce Xie’s assistance in successfully securing over $30 million in funding for school renovations, arts programs, and nonprofit organization support, calling it an unprecedented breakthrough for Brooklyn’s Chinese community.
Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn also mentioned that Tony Ying Ko and Joyce Xie have revitalized the long-dormant 49th District, promising to continue providing support to ensure their successful re-election. Apart from fundraising efforts, the duo was described as a steadfast support for small businesses and immigrant families. Councilman Ho pointed out that they frequently assist business owners late at night in handling Health Department violations and compliance issues. Additionally, in the face of frequent evictions and detention incidents in the Chinese community, they are always the first to help residents find lawyers and ensure legal representation.
In his speech, Tony Ying Ko reflected on his first campaign two years ago when he was only 29 years old, saying, “I am here today because of the community’s support. Our job is to solve problems and make everyone’s lives better.”
Joyce Xie also looked back on her growth and learning in the past two years. She expressed that she has always treated the community as family and after witnessing various issues within the community, she decided to work hand in hand with residents to find solutions step by step. She emphasized that no problem is unsolvable as long as the community works together, gradual improvement is achievable.
She also highlighted the achievements made in the past two years in fundraising, supporting nonprofit organizations, and nurturing the younger generation. She believes that being a District Leader is not just a political position but also a responsibility – bringing resources into the community, fostering a generation that cares about public affairs, and ensuring that the judicial and political systems truly serve the residents.