Dem Martha’s Vineyard fund-raiser lands coveted spot on NY Board of Regents

A Dem fund-raiser who co-hosted a Martha’s Vineyard gig for key New York pols has landed a coveted spot on the state’s powerful Board of Regents over other candidates with more local backing.

State Assembly Democrats, who have the most sway in the selection process, typically defer to local powerbrokers when it comes to Regents seats — but that tradition was broken when Hasoni Pratts was recently selected to serve as the Brooklyn rep with the education-policy-making body, said sources familiar with the deliberations.

Brooklyn Democrats said former city Councilman and lobbyist Ken Fisher had the most local support for the post followed by Evelyn Castro, a veteran educator who served in numerous leadership roles in the New York City public school system and currently is a senior adviser to the president of CUNY’s Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn.

But Assembly members said they were told by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie’s staff that the two favored candidates had conflicts because of their jobs: Fisher because he is a lobbyist and Castro because of her leadership role at a CUNY college.

They were then disqualified from consideration, the lawmakers said.

A source familiar with the deliberations suggested Heastie put his thumb on the scale for Pratts, though Brooklyn lawmakers said there was no strong-arming by the speaker to back her.

Pratts is a senior adviser at National Urban League who served as a “national engagement coordinator” for Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 presidential candidate and founded the Higher Heights Leadership PAC, whose mission is to elect progressive black women to office. 

“I thought Ken would be a great candidate to serve on the Board of Regents. I’ve known him for years,” said Assemblyman Erik Dilan, a Brooklyn Democrat. “He would have brought a different perspective of not being a traditional educator.”

Dilan backed Pratts after Fisher was disqualified.

Pratts told New York Magazine in August 2022 that she co-sponsored a fundraiser for Heastie in Martha’s Vineyard.

“I’ve been trying to get [Assembly Speaker] Carl Heastie to come here for years. This is his first time,” boasted Pratts, who has a summer home in Oak Bluffs.

She is listed in campaign records as making a $250 donation to Heastie’s campaign.

Assemblyman Michael Benedetto (D-Bronx), who chairs the Assembly’s educational panel and co-chaired the interview of the Regents candidates, said Fisher and Castro were the top two choices before they were knocked out of contention.

“Ms. Castro was well-looked at and rightfully so,” Benedetto said.

Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, also the Brooklyn Democratic Party chairwoman, said Assembly brass cited Section 202 of the Education Law governing the appointment of members of the Board of Regents to disqualify Fisher and Castro.

“While serving on the Board of Regents, members are not permitted to also serve as a trustee, president, principal, or any other officer of an institution under the authority of the Board,” the law states.

Bichotte-Hermelyn said Pratts, despite her deep political ties, is a “very humble” person and did not name-drop during the interview process.  

During her interview, Castro was asked if she had a conflict for her current positions as a senior adviser to the Medgar Evers College president and dean of the School of Professional and Community Development. She insisted she did not because she was not in a policy-setting position.

Castro’s resume included serving as head of the city public school system’s early childhood education program, principal of the Hunter College elementary school and superintendent of Brooklyn’s District 17.

Pratts, who resides in Prospect Heights and has five children, including two who currently attend city public schools, said during her interview that the voices of parents were important. She also helped raise money for scholarships for students in Syracuse when she lived there.

Heastie’s office declined to comment.

Pratts did not immediately respond to a Post request for comment.