By Janet Howard

In a compelling interview on People Power & Politics, Tony Melone, President of the New Kings Democrats (NKD), laid out a transformative vision for Brooklyn’s Democratic Party focused on inclusivity, transparency, and empowering working-class communities.

“The Brooklyn Democratic Party represents over a million Democrats,” Melone said. “But it spends more time catering to a few insiders than organizing to beat Republicans or empower communities.”

Founded with the mission to reshape the borough’s political culture, the New Kings Democrats seek to replace machine-style politics with grassroots leadership that puts people first. Melone made it clear that the status quo is no longer acceptable and that meaningful reform begins at the local level.

Grounded in Progressive Values 

The NKD’s platform is rooted in values that resonate across New York City’s diverse and often underserved communities. “We need to stand up for working people, for quality of life, for protecting immigrants, for the right to education, the right to safety at home and in our streets, and a government that’s responsive and listens to us,” Melone emphasized.

These principles guide NKD’s approach to political engagement—whether through voter education, candidate endorsements, or policy advocacy. At the heart of their work lies a deep commitment to justice, equity, and participatory democracy.

Strategic Endorsements for the 2025 Mayoral Race

As the 2025 Democratic primaries approach, NKD is making headlines with its unprecedented multi-candidate endorsement for the mayoral race. Rather than backing a single candidate and with the rank-choice voting system, NKD has supported a coalition of four progressive leaders: Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani, Zellnor Myrie, and Jessica Ramos.

“We are very optimistic that with a coalition strategy—four or more great candidates for mayor who lift each other up—we can do so much better than Eric Adams or a return to someone like Andrew Cuomo,” Melone said. He characterized Cuomo as “another failed leader who resigned in disgrace” and warned against repeating past mistakes.

Each of the endorsed candidates brings unique strengths:

• Zellnor Myrie has proposed a plan to construct one million units of affordable housing to address the city’s deepening crisis.
• Zohran Mamdani is celebrated for his ability to connect with younger voters and for authoring successful legislation for free bus service.
• Brad Lander, the current New York City Comptroller, has a long policy reform and fiscal innovation record.
• Jessica Ramos has consistently fought for organized labor and fair pay for workers across New York.

This coalition-based endorsement leverages the benefits of ranked-choice voting, a system NKD is actively educating voters about. “Use all five rankings,” Melone urged. Even if your first choice doesn’t win, your vote still counts.”

Mobilizing Brooklyn Voters

Melone highlighted a key challenge: voter attention remains fixated on national headlines, often at the expense of local elections. “As scary as things are in Washington, change begins locally,” he said. “Only 7,000 votes decided the last mayoral election. Your city council vote could come down to just a handful.”

NKD is responding with strategic grassroots outreach and voter education efforts, including the upcoming release of a comprehensive voter guide, which will be published at newkingsdemocrats.com.

Supporting Local Champions

Beyond the mayoral race, NKD is backing local candidates who are committed to community-responsive leadership. Melone pointed to City Council Member Shahana Hanif, whom NKD has endorsed for re-election in District 39, and Council Member Sandy Nurse, who replaced a machine-backed incumbent and quickly delivered tangible improvements in her district.

“When you vote for someone like Sandy Nurse, you see the change in your daily life,” Melone noted. “Those are the kinds of leaders we support.”

A Call to Action

As the interview concluded, Melone offered a heartfelt call to civic engagement: “We don’t need more pundits. We need more organizers. Talk to your neighbors. Get out of your comfort zone. Help shape this election.”

For those interested in supporting NKD’s work or becoming more involved in local politics, Melone encouraged visiting their website, attending meetings, or following them on social media. Monthly meetings are open to the public, with the next scheduled for April 24 in Brooklyn Heights and via Zoom.

For more information, to get involved, or to access the voter guide, visit www.newkingsdemocrats.com

Follow on social media: @newkingsdems