Ronnie Eldridge, NY Politician and Aide to RFK and Lindsay, Dies at 95

Ronnie Eldridge, a trailblazing New York City politician, activist, and television host who served as a key aide to Robert F. Kennedy and Mayor John V. Lindsay, has died at 95.[1][2] Eldridge passed away on March 5, 2026, in Manhattan, leaving behind a legacy of progressive politics, women’s rights advocacy, and anti-war activism that shaped New York for decades.[1][2]

Born Ronnie Myers on February 6, 1934, Eldridge emerged as a force in Democratic politics during the turbulent 1960s. She became an energetic volunteer for Robert F. Kennedy’s successful U.S. Senate campaign in 1964, serving as a crucial link between RFK and liberal reformers in New York.[2][5] Her oral history interviews with the JFK Library detail her role in the 1964 senatorial race, the 1966 surrogate court race, and internal Tammany Hall battles, where she acted as a gateway to Kennedy’s office for progressive causes.[3][5][6]

Eldridge’s activism intensified amid the Vietnam War. In 1967, she opened her West 93rd Street brownstone to anti-war Democrats plotting against President Lyndon B. Johnson at a fundraising dinner.[2] This gathering birthed the “Dump Johnson” movement, pressuring Senators Eugene McCarthy and RFK to challenge Johnson in the primaries—leading to his shocking withdrawal.[2] A liberal Democrat, Eldridge championed women, gays, prisoners, and other marginalized groups, aligning with Lindsay’s stances on civil rights, student protests, and gay rights.[2]

Under Mayor John V. Lindsay, a liberal Republican, Eldridge served as Special Assistant, becoming a trusted troubleshooter and policy advocate.[1][2][4] An unnamed aide once described her: “In the mucky-muck of reform politics, she is one of the few who manages to have cordial relations with everybody. You couldn’t stay mad at her. She also has a very nice way of leaning on you to get something done.”[2] She persuaded feminist Bella Abzug to bolt the Democratic Party and endorse Lindsay’s 1969 re-election.[2] Eldridge’s relentless yet disarming style made her indispensable in Lindsay’s administration.[2]

Politics intertwined with her media career. Before entering elected office, Eldridge worked as an executive producer at Channel 13 on shows like Woman Alive!, resigning in 1977 to run for Manhattan Borough President with the quip: “Does anyone honestly believe that the whole household of Manhattan can be run by men alone?”[1] She later spearheaded special projects for Ms. magazine and served as Executive Director of the Ms. Foundation for Women.[1]

Eldridge’s electoral breakthrough came in 1989, when she won a seat on the New York City Council representing the Upper West Side, serving until 2001—a 12-year tenure marked by advocacy for progressive causes.[1][2] She was the only woman in Governor Mario Cuomo’s cabinet as Director of the Division for Women.[1] Post-Council, she hosted Keeping Relevant on CUNY TV, offering sharp insights on politics from her vantage as a journalist, Lindsay aide, Cuomo cabinet member, and Council veteran.[1][4] In a 2024 interview, she reflected on RFK’s closeness, her volunteer work for Pete Buttigieg in 2019 (including Iowa phone banking via her granddaughter), and the media’s role in elections—from JFK’s photogenic TV appeal to social media’s dominance.[4]

Her personal life mirrored her public dynamism. Eldridge married Pulitzer-winning columnist Jimmy Breslin; their union—a feminist politician and gruff journalist—inspired the CBS show American Nuclear.[1] They raised nine children and 11 grandchildren, remaining wed until Breslin’s 2017 death, leaving her widowed for a second time.[1]

Eldridge’s career bridged eras of New York politics. As a RFK protégé, she fueled his 1964 Senate win and 1968 ambitions.[1][6] With Lindsay, she navigated reform amid crises.[2] On the Council and beyond, she embodied progressive evolution, endorsing Buttigieg in 2019 and critiquing trends like Kamala Harris’s challenges against Trump.[4] Her ability to build coalitions—cordial yet persistent—earned respect across aisles.[2]

Tributes poured in upon her death. Eldridge’s life highlighted women’s rising influence in a male-dominated sphere, from anti-war salons to City Hall.[1][2] She remained active into her 90s, hosting discussions on national shifts and local victories.[4] Her passing marks the end of an era for Manhattan liberals who remade the city through activism and office.[2]

Why Ronnie Eldridge Mattered

Eldridge wasn’t just a politician; she was a catalyst. Her “Dump Johnson” push altered presidential history.[2] As Lindsay’s sole female aide in key roles, she advanced women’s and gay rights when taboo.[2] On the Council, she fought for prisoners and the underserved.[2] Entrepreneurial too, her Ms. work amplified feminist voices.[1]

In her own words from oral histories, she cherished RFK’s trust and the “heady” reformer days.[4] A 2024 clip shows her musing on Pelosi’s role in Harris’s rise and Buttigieg’s Iowa grit—proof her fire endured.[4]

New York’s political landscape owes her much. From RFK volunteer to CUNY host, Eldridge leaned in relentlessly, smiling all the way. At 95, she exits as a giant—protégé, aide, councilwoman, icon.[1][2]

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Original source: The New York Times – Ronnie Eldridge, NY Politician and Aide to RFK and Lindsay, Dies at 95