Where are they now: Brooklyn Power 100

City & State has been highlighting key political players in each of New York City’s five boroughs for many years. In 2019, elected officials were added to the mix, and a true list of the 100 top power brokers in Brooklyn was born. Some of the top people on that list are still in their same jobs, while others have moved on – or are about to retire. For City & State’s 20th anniversary, here’s a look back at what’s changed since the first Brooklyn Power 100 list after publishing the latest iteration.

1. Hakeem Jeffries

In 2019, things were looking up for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, who had just ascended into the House Democratic leadership following then-Rep. Joe Crowley’s defeat. Jeffries has helped keep the Democratic conference united amid many fractious Republican speaker vote sagas, and he could become the nation’s first Black House speaker after the midterms.

2. Chuck Schumer

While Democrats have criticized how both of the party’s legislative leaders have responded to President Donald Trump, U.S. Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has borne more of the brunt of the public’s wrath. His approval rating at the end of the year was lower than any other top U.S. politician, and he will likely face a competitive Democratic primary in 2028, if he chooses to seek reelection.

3. Letitia James

State Attorney General Letitia James was new to the role in 2019, making history as the state’s first Black attorney general. Since then, it has been a nonstop whirlwind. She led a yearslong legal battle against the National Rifle Association, issued a key report in the Andrew Cuomo sexual harassment allegations case and briefly flirted with a run for governor. More recently, she’s had innumerable lawsuits against President Donald Trump, who responded in turn with a mortgage fraud allegation.

4. Nydia Velázquez

Rep. Nydia Velázquez, after more than 30 years in Congress, announced that she is retiring at the end of this year. As one of the fiercest champions for Puerto Rico in the House, “La Luchadora” commands respect from progressives and establishment Democrats alike. Her departure has kicked off a competitive primary to represent one of the city’s most progressive districts.

5. Eric Adams 

In 2019, Eric Adams was Brooklyn borough president and an ambitious former state senator with hopes of becoming mayor. Those dreams were realized and then subsequently dashed after one tumultuous term. So where is Adams now? He’s in Dubai getting a stem cell experience, or serving as a keynote speaker at a conference organized by a MAGA pastor.

6. Jumaane Williams

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams had only been in the role for a few months at the time of the 2019 list – and he’s still in the role today. Of course, he ran for governor in 2022, losing in the Democratic primary, and would’ve become New York City mayor if Eric Adams had been removed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

7. Eric Gonzalez

City & State called Eric Gonzalez “firmly entrenched” in 2019 after he had finally shed the “acting” portion of his title as Brooklyn district attorney the previous year. Now, he’s maybe too entrenched as the borough’s top prosecutor. He had been in the mix as Hochul’s lieutenant governor pick, which would’ve taken him to ribbon-cuttings and other functions across the state, but he didn’t end up being the pick.

8. Richard Donoghue

Then the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Richard Donoghue was in the middle of his 2 1/2-year tenure in 2019. He got a conviction and life imprisonment for Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Donoghue then spent about six months with the U.S. Department of Justice and is now a partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.

9. Helene Weinstein

Former Assembly Member Helene Weinstein retired at the end of 2024 as the longest-serving woman in the history of the state Legislature and the first woman to chair the powerful Assembly Ways and Means Committee. After 44 years in office, she graced the cover of City & State’s Exit Interview issue near the end of 2024, owing to her importance and longevity in Albany.

10. Frank Seddio

At the time, Frank Seddio was at the tail end of his tenure leading the Brooklyn Democratic Party, giving way to current boss Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn near the beginning of 2020. City & State noted his influence over judicial appointments, and that has continued as he was caught on camera yelling about judges in 2022 and is caught up in a $2 million escrow scandal.