CITY HALL — The Island’s City Council delegation joined all of the city’s legislative body in electing its next speaker Wednesday.
Councilmember Julie Menin, a Democrat representing Manhattan’s Upper East Side, will serve as the City Council’s next speaker, a position that can serve as the most immediate counter to Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s agenda.
Widely considered a moderate, Menin whipped her winning coalition into place by the end of November.
Addressing her colleagues after her election, Menin shared some of her life story, hopes for the new role, and signaled a desire to work with the Mamdani administration on the other side of City Hall.
Menin will serve as the first Jewish speaker of the City Council and Mamdani is the city’s first Muslim mayor.
“We must ensure that New York continues to serve as a beacon of hope, tolerance and inclusion,” she said. “We are one city no matter the religion we practice or the language that we speak.”
Staten Island Councilmembers Kamillah Hanks, David Carr and Frank Morano all joined their colleagues in backing Menin for the new role.
Hanks, a Democrat representing the North Shore, was among the councilmembers who nominated Menin for the leadership role.
“Throughout my tenure as a councilmember, I have had the distinct pleasure of collaborating with Julie, whose extensive experience across various levels of government positions her uniquely to address the complexities of our city during these unprecedented times. Her profound understanding of municipal challenges, coupled with her impressive resume, underscores her capability to lead effectively. I am genuinely excited to stand alongside her in this pivotal moment, confident that she will serve as a Speaker who represents the interests of all New Yorkers! Mazel Tov Julie!”
Carr, a Republican representing the Mid-Island and part of South Brooklyn, said he looked forward to working with Menin over the next 4 years.
“Julie Menin ran for speaker as I believe she will govern – with relentless energy, a passion for every detail of city government, and a strong commitment to engaging and working in partnership with all 50 of her colleagues in this body,” he said. “I know she will be a strong ally to Staten Island and southwest Brooklyn for the coming four years, and I look forward to working with her for the betterment of my constituents and our city.”
During the Wednesday hearing, Morano, a Republican representing the South Shore, was one of three of the body’s members to reference the perception of Menin as a counter to the new mayor saying many of his constituents — Republicans and capitalists — were counting on her representation.
“I’ve always been impressed by her energy, her intellect and her deep command of the issues,” he said. “My constituents are counting on this body to speak for them.”