ISSUES
The Brooklyn Democratic Party
New Leadership
The current Chairwoman has used her position to punish district leaders for disagreeing with her, overseen fraudulent actions, and repeatedly disempowered and disenfranchised rank and file Democrats. Despite her demonstrated fundraising ability, she has failed to provide any support to campaigns in swing districts. The party needs a dramatic change in leadership -- the status quo is not acceptable.
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A New Purpose
Since its inception, the leadership of the Brooklyn Democratic Party has used the organization as a vehicle of rewarding boss loyalty with patronage. They assume that anyone who wants a say in party affairs is looking for a handout, excluding and disempowering those who wish to participate. It is long past time for that culture to end.
We need new leadership with a new vision: To use the party as an organizing vehicle to win elections. By redirecting our energies, we can establish the party's relevance in today's era and leave behind the corrupt culture of the past. It's time to put aside the culture of bossism, and finally establish a culture of service.
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Reform the Rules
The rules of the county party are designed to empower the Chair at the expense of rank and file Democrats. Secrecy and back room dealing are baked into the system. We need wholesale, A-to-Z rules reform with the intent of establishing transparency and accountability.
The New York State Democratic Party
Replace Jay Jacobs
Our current State Party Chairman has failed the state and the nation, and continues to fail to learn from his mistakes. He has demonstrated far more willingness to campaign against other Democrats than against Republicans. We need a leader who unites, not one who divides. Jay Jacobs must go. Diana has endorsed the Replace Jay Jacobs campaign and supports the campaign's platform.
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Rebuild the Party
The New York State Democratic Party has hardly any staff and no meaningful permanent campaign apparatus. We need to staff up and prepare to play an important role in this election cycle.
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Play the Long Game
The major flaw of relying on campaigns as the primary apparatus of the party is that after election day, campaigns end. This stifles long term investment and strategic planning. The state party has the unique capacity to build Democratic political infrastructure in the long term -- to invest in data and analysis, create a permanent organization of volunteers, and advocate for constitutional amendments that would strengthen democracy. This is what the state party needs to be doing, and it needs to start now.
Judicial Elections
Demystify Judicial Campaigns
Running for judge is largely an insider's process. In order to succeed, candidates need guidance from someone who understands the gamesmanship. As District Leader, Diana will organize information sessions and provide guidance to future candidates.
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Let the Community Lead
The Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, the community Democratic organization of Park Slope and Windsor Terrace, has a comprehensive screening and endorsement process for judicial candidates. Instead of trusting solely her own judgment, Diana will seek guidance from CBID and other similar groups from her district.
Reform the Process
Running for judge shouldn't require hiring an insider consultant and going to District Leaders' fundraisers to get their support. Diana will push for a Constitutional Amendment to give Supreme Court judges Primary Elections and eliminate the Judicial Convention.
The Board of Elections
Amend the Constitution
Diana will support Constitutional amendments and legislation that put an end to the Board of Election's bipartisan structure and make it a civil service, subject to the same hiring practices as other government agencies.
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Competence
Diana will support hiring and promotions based on merit, not cronyism or nepotism.
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Language Access
The Board continues to provide inadequate language access, especially to communities in Kensington. Diana will push the Board to provide in person translators and ballots in Urdu and Bangla in Kensington, and to do outreach in Kensington to make people aware of this change.