Newly appointed Executive Director of the New York State Democratic Party Geoff Berman recently visited Harlem to discuss his new position at an event hosted by State Sen. Brian Benjamin.
The forum focused on Berman’s plans to win congressional seats currently held by Republicans, achieve a Democratic majority in the New York State Senate and build out the New York State Democratic Party’s infrastructure. Former Congress member Charles B. Rangel, Assembly member Inez E. Dickens, Borough President Gale Brewer and political leaders from across New York City were in attendance.
Berman has lived in New York City for more than 20 years and has worked here as an attorney, as the artistic director of the Atlantic Theatre Company acting school and as the New York State director of Obama’s Organizing for America. He was also the Deputy National Training and GOTV director of the 2012 Obama re-election campaign in Chicago.
Much of the evening’s discussion focused on the Independent Democratic Conference, eight break-away Democrats who allow for Republican control of the state Senate. Berman said the State Party would not enable members of the IDC and had already cut off their access to vital organizing tools and infrastructure.