According to sources in Manhattan Democratic circles, more than 30 registered Democrats across Manhattan have signed onto an ethics complaint against Manhattan Democratic Party First Vice-Chair Mariama James that will be submitted to the MDP’s Ethics Committee. This comes following reports of her controversial online commentary, most often directed at DSA members and Progressives.
The complaint has not yet been submitted, and the complainants themselves have not made any public release or announcement, in compliance with Article VI, Section 2, Sub-Section a of the MDP bylaws.
Per the bylaws, Manhattan Democratic Party Chair Keith Wright has significant sway over the process via appointments to the Ethics Committee. All five members of the Ethics Committee are nominated by the Party Chair and then appointed by the County Committee or the MDP Executive Committee. The chair of Ethics is then chosen by the Party Chair from the five members.
After a complaint is received, the Ethics Committee Chair must “promptly mail or deliver by other means a copy of the complaint to each person or organization who is charged with a violation, unless the Chairperson determines that the complaint is so frivolous that it should be dismissed without further inquiry, in which case the full Committee shall be notified and may review the ruling of the Chairperson and direct that the complaint be mailed.”
Fifteen days after the complaint is sent to the respondent (First Vice-Chair James), the Ethics Committees “may, in its discretion, dismiss the complaint, issue a reprimand or admonition to respondent or schedule a hearing on the merits of the complaint.”
A hearing would be private and any final determination requires a majority vote of the Ethics Committee.
The Ethics Committee may also issue a public, or private, advisory opinion. A private advisory opinion would be treated as confidential by Ethics.
Local Manhattan Democrat Josh Arnon called for James’s resignation from her position as First Vice-Chair in the following statement:
“Mariama James’ promotion of election denialism, comparison of progressives to the KKK, and use of racial slurs should not be accepted by party leadership. New Yorkers voted for a democratic socialist mayor, and it is time for us to come together as a party in our shared fight against fascism. Calling all DSA members “incels” sets us back from achieving that goal. I believe Mariama should resign from her position as First Vice-Chair of the Manhattan Democratic Party.”
Will Mariama James be Re-Elected First Vice-Chair of the Manhattan Democratic Party?
Another looming question is whether James will be re-elected to another term as First Vice-Chair of the Manhattan Democratic Party. New York State Law dictates that all political party officers must be elected between September 17 and October 6. The MDP website’s Organizing Meeting webpage has not yet been updated from the 2025 re-organizational meeting, so it is not clear if a date has been selected yet.
Several involved Democrats in Manhattan circles have been heard by State of the Left to say they believe Mariama James will not serve another term as MDP First Vice-Chair.
James has not responded to a request from State of the Left on if she intends to run for re-election or not.
Edited by: River Shi