Majority of Queens members back Menin for speaker
/
City Councilmember Julie Menin declared victory in the race for Council speaker on Wednesday, with support from the majority of the Queens delegation. File photo by Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit
By Ryan Schwach
A broad coalition of Queens councilmembers signaled their support for Councilmember Julie Menin’s bid for speaker as the moderate Manhattan representative declared an early victory in the race on Wednesday.
Menin, who has pitched herself as a potential check to Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s administration, announced on Wednesday that she had pulled in support from 36 councilmembers, including 11 from Queens.
The Manhattan councilmember’s Queens support came from members of the progressive caucus, including Councilmembers Shekar Krishnan and Nantasha Williams, as well as the borough’s two conservative representatives, Minority Leader Joann Ariola and Councilmember Vickie Paladino. She also pulled votes from Queens’ more moderate Eastern corners, represented by Councilmembers Jim Gennaro and Linda Lee. She also secured the support of Queens’ three newly elected, incoming members, Shanel Thomas-Henry, Phil Wong and current Speaker Adrienne Adams’ successor, Ty Hankerson.
The Queens lawmakers’ pledges came from every member of the Queens delegation with the exception of the borough’s two westernmost – and arguably most progressive – members, Julie Won and Tiffany Cabán, as well as Queens and Brooklyn representative Councilmember Jennifer Gutiérrez.
Queens’ only speaker candidate, Minority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers, also didn’t back Menin Wednesday but conceded in her own attempt to keep the speaker’s gavel in Southeast Queens.
“Unfortunately, we came up short,” Brooks-Powers said in a statement. “I look forward to partnering with the speaker, the mayor, and all of my colleagues as we fight to enact an agenda that centers working people and as we strive for a safer, more affordable city for all.”
Menin’s support in Queens went beyond her colleagues in the Council.
Queens County Democratic boss Rep. Gregory Meeks, who sat out of the mayor’s race after Cuomo lost the Democratic primary in June, advocated for Menin’s election behind the scenes, Council sources told the Eagle.
“Meeks is a consensus person,” said one councilmember, who added that Meeks gauged the Queens delegation for their thoughts on speaker candidates.
In statements supporting Menin, Queens representatives said she would be a strong leader for the council.
“I believe Julie possesses the qualities and the capabilities that the Council and the City at large needs,” said Councilmember Jim Gennaro. “Great leadership capabilities, extensive experience in City government at the highest levels, the deep respect of the members, a commitment to fairness and equity, and – most important – the ability to project the power of the Council as a co-equal partner in government alongside the executive branch.”
Menin hinged her speaker’s bid on being a check on the incoming Mamdani administration, and in doing so pulled in support from the Council’s more moderate and conservative wings.
Paladino, Queens’ most conservative political representative in any office, announced her support for the moderate Manhattan Democrat.
“She’s proven herself to be an able leader and trusted colleague, and is the voice our
Council needs in this moment,” Paladino said. “We will undoubtedly face challenges in the coming term, but I know that with Julie Menin leading this body, we will have someone who listens and understands all perspectives and will work to bridge the issues which have too often divided us.”
But progressives are supporting her as well, including Krishnan, who was one of Mamdani’s first Queens endorsers.
"I'm proud to join a broad coalition of well over 30 of my colleagues in supporting Council
Member Julie Menin for Speaker,” Krishnan said. “I'm confident that with Julie as Speaker, the City Council will deliver a more affordable city for all New Yorkers, invest in our parks and public spaces, and protect immigrant New Yorkers from Donald Trump and ICE's attacks. With Julie’s leadership, our City Council will be well prepared to meet the moment and fight for a better city.”
Krishnan declined to comment further on his support of Menin.
It is currently unclear how much of Menin’s efforts as speaker will be to block some of Mamdani’s affordability agenda, or if the relationship will be less contentious than the one Mayor Eric Adams had with the Council during his tenure.
“I am honored and humbled by the trust and faith that my colleagues have put in me to lead the
City Council as a force of action for New York families,” said Menin. “With this broad five borough coalition, we stand ready to partner with Mayor-Elect Mamdani’s administration and deliver on a shared agenda that makes New York more affordable through universal childcare, lowers rent and healthcare costs, and ensures that families across the City can do more than just get by.”
“I look forward to continuing the conversations we have already begun about the affordability agenda we will put forward and the shared priorities we will advance ahead of the new session in January,” she added.
Menin’s declaration of victory in the race for speaker comes earlier than any of the last several councilmembers to be chosen as speaker by the body.
Speaker Adams didn't declare a victory until mid-December.
It is expected Menin’s coalition will hold until a vote is officially taken on Jan. 7.
Her main opponent for the job, progressive Brooklyn Councilmember Crystal Hudson, would need to turn more than 10 members for her bid to remain viable.
Hudson did not comment on Wednesday, nor did the mayor-elect.
