Jewish Councilwoman, Seen As A Check On Power For The Incoming Mayoral Administration, Announces Win In Bid For Council Speakership

MSN

City Council Member Julie Menin announced Wednesday that she’s secured enough votes to become the chamber’s next speaker, declaring victory in a race that could leave Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani governing opposite someone widely seen as a check on his incoming administration.

Menin released a list of 35 Council members and their quotes pledging support — a supermajority well over the 26 votes needed to declare victory in the 51–member body. Her supporters largely hailed from outside the Council’s Progressive Caucus — a nexus of pro-Mamdani members — and included more moderate Democrats and Republicans.

Her main competition in the race was Brooklyn Council Member Crystal Hudson, who had earned the backing of progressive members and the endorsement of health care worker’s union 1199SEIU. Mamdani and his transition team have largely stayed out of the race, never openly declaring support for a particular candidate nor seeking to aggressively sway members — a sharp departure from his two predecessors who both inserted themselves in the speaker’s race.

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