Critics of Jay Jacobs put out ‘job description’ for new chairman as New York State Democrats ready to meet
Wanted: new Democratic Party chairman for New York State. Must be willing to “collaborate with statewide leadership,” “engage local parties” and more.
That’s the message about 1,700 party delegates and activists are sending as state Dems ready for a semiannual meeting Thursday in Albany.
The Coalition to Replace Jay Jacobs is renewing calls for Gov. Hochul to give the party chairman the boot, saying he’s to blame for Democrats’ poor performance in last year’s vital midterm elections.
They’re publishing a “job description” for the next party chief with requirements like “deliberately and proactively [conducting] outreach to New York State’s diverse communities and demographics” — implied criticisms of Jacob’s long tenure.
The new report “puts together a comprehensive job description of what we believe a successful state party chair embodies in terms of skills and the responsibilities they would handle,” coalition organizer Erica Vladimer told the Daily News on Tuesday.
“Based on that, it is very clear Jay Jacobs does not qualify for the role,” she added.
Jacobs again rejected the criticism, saying of the report, “A lot of what they have in there is stuff we already do.
“I’ve been going around and meeting with people across the state, including those who have been critics,” he told The News. “It’s hard to have a conversation with people who won’t at least agree on what the facts are.”
Many Dems throughout the state have blasted Jacobs since the midterms, in which four Democratic members of Congress lost their seats. That helped Republicans take the House of Representatives.
Since then, national Democrats have stepped in. The main super PAC for House Dems recently promised millions of dollars to help New York Democrats win back their seats.
“If that’s not a clear indication that they don’t trust Jay’s leadership, I don’t know what is,” Vladimer said.
To date, Hochul has resisted calls to replace Jacobs, whom her predecessor Andrew Cuomo appointed. The coalition of critics sent her and Jacobs its report Tuesday.
Hochul’s campaign did not immediately answer an emailed request for comment.
Jacobs’ foes plan to protest Thursday outside the Hilton hotel in Albany, where he’s expected to lead the meeting. The agenda include discussing the process for the state party to send delegates to the 2024 Democratic presidential convention.
“The state party lacks a lot of transparency and, quick frankly, lacks a lot of voter engagement, which is what they’re supposed to be doing,” said state Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Queens), a vocal Jacobs critic.
“We keep taking these L’s,” she added. “As a Mets fan, I’m tired of losing.”
