This past Saturday was more of a raucous 100 Women campaign party than a rally at Restoration Plaza in Brooklyn. New York State Attorney General Letitia James hosted the event to highlight her longtime colleague Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman’s bid for reelection in the 56th Assembly District.
“This filled my heart,” said Zinerman about the large gathering that showed up to support her. “Those of us who live here, serve together, work together, play together—I think this was the message we wanted to send.”
James emceed most of the event, encouraging the crowd to dance and rejoice after each speaker.
Zinerman initially met James while she was at the Research Foundation (RF) of City University of NY (CUNY) before becoming an elected official. James was a Brooklyn councilmember at the time. Then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg was slated to cut funding to her program, said Zinerman, but James fought to keep it open.
The two have been close supporters of each other ever since.
“From that time, I started getting more civically engaged because how could one person just close down a program and put so many people out of work?” Zinerman said. “I joined the Vanguard Independent Democratic Association (VIDA) and [James] was there when I got there. The rest is history.”
Heavy-hitter leaders from all over Brooklyn made an appearance at Zinerman’s rally, including Blondel A. Pinnock, president and CEO of the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation; State Assembly Majority Whip and Brooklyn Party Boss Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn; former Assemblymembers Annette Robinson and Tremaine S. Wright; Ingrid Lewis-Martin, the mayor’s chief advisor; and fellow Assemblymembers Maritza Davila, Jo Anne Simon, Monique Waterman, Latrice Walker, and Nikki Lucas. There was also a pretty strong showing of union members, labor groups, and residents in attendance.
Zinerman was first elected to office in 2020 and assumed office in 2021. She has raised about $23,440, according to the latest March filing with the New York State Board of Elections (NYSBOE). Her campaign said she filed more than 2,000 signatures this petitioning season.
Her main challenger is education activist Eon Tyrell Huntley, who is backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and Senator Jabari Brisport. His campaign has raised about $43,280, according to his latest March filing with the NYSBOE. He filed 2,497 signatures this petitioning season, said Huntley.
Robinson represented the Bed-Stuy district in the assembly for almost 15 years, and continues to be a prominent member of VIDA. She considers Zinerman part of the political club’s legacy. “There are those who desire to stop the legacy,” said Robinson. “The coalition for community empowerment for us was to determine our own leaders, not for outside forces to make that determination.”
Zinerman received endorsements from Bichotte Hermelyn and Congressmember Yvette Clarke.
“It’s a powerful testament to the resilience, strengths, the leadership of women,and of Black women, and a celebration of one exceptional leader in particular: Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman,” said Bichotte Hermelyn at the rally, “Stefani Zinerman has been a beacon of hope and progress in the 56th Assembly District and her dedication to our community knows no bounds.”
“In a moment when women’s voices are paramount to shaping a fair and progressive future, I am honored to stand alongside my sisters in elected leadership to endorse Assemblywoman Stefani Zinerman,” said Clarke in a statement. “Stefani embodies the strength, intelligence, and resilience that defines Brooklyn. Her unwavering commitment to justice and equity speaks volumes of her character and dedication to our collective future. We need her voice and steadfast leadership in Albany, working for us all.”
Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member who writes about politics for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.