Moderate Jewish lawmaker Julie Menin declares win in NYC Council speaker race

Julie Menin, a moderate, Jewish New York City council member, on Wednesday said she had secured enough support from the council to become its next speaker, an influential role in the city’s government that could serve as a counterweight to the far-left incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani.

The official vote on the speakership is in January, so some votes could change before then, but Menin said she has a wide margin of support.

If confirmed, Menin, a Democrat, will become the first Jewish head of the council.

Menin said in a public statement that she has secured enough backing from council members to secure “supermajority support to become the body’s next speaker.”

“The coalition supporting Menin reflects the depth and diversity of the city,” her campaign said.

Menin represents the city’s District 5, covering the East Side of Manhattan and Roosevelt Island.

Menin is the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, a supporter of Jewish community issues, and one of five members of the council’s Jewish Caucus.

The City Council, with 51 members, is the legislative body covering New York City, akin to Congress at the federal level.

The council handles local legislation, negotiates the city’s budget with the mayor, monitors city agencies and reviews land use.

The council is a separate governmental branch from the mayor’s administration, but interacts with the mayor and serves as a check on City Hall, on issues like legislation.

The speaker is elected by council members and heads the legislative body in setting priorities, passing laws, and handling public funds.

Menin’s leading opponent in the race was Councilmember Crystal Hudson, from Brooklyn, a progressive who was seen as more aligned with Mamdani’s policies.

Menin did not endorse a candidate for mayor, and Mamdani did not issue any endorsements in the speaker’s race.

Menin signaled a willingness to work with Mamdani in a Wednesday statement.

“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 child care, lowers rent and health care costs and ensures that families across the city can do more than just get by,” Menin said.

Menin said she has the support of at least 36 current and incoming councilmembers, more than the 26 needed to secure a majority. She won the support of a diverse set of council members, including Republicans.

Menin will succeed Speaker Adrienne Adams, who also has warm ties with centrist Jewish communities.