Councilwoman Julie Menin announced Wednesday that she has secured “super majority” support to become the next speaker of the New York City Council — a move that could put her on a collision course with incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Menin, 58, has cast herself as a moderate alternative to Councilwoman Crystal Hudson of Brooklyn, a close ally of the socialist mayor-elect and the other leading contender in the behind-the-scenes fight for the council’s top post.
According to sources, members of Mamdani’s inner circle worked aggressively behind the scenes to rally support for Hudson and block Menin — but ultimately failed. If the support Menin claims holds through the official vote in January, she is expected to become the council’s first Jewish speaker.
Menin touted support from a broad coalition of 36 lawmakers, ranging from progressive Yusuf Salaam of the Bronx to several Republican council members. She also signaled she is willing to collaborate with Mamdani on parts of his affordability agenda.
“With this broad five-borough coalition, we’re ready to partner with Mayor-elect Mamdani’s administration to deliver on a shared vision to make New York more affordable — from universal child care to lower rent and health care costs,” she said.
Hudson conceded defeat once the math became clear.
“I’ve always said this should be a member-driven process, and today my colleagues have made their choice clear,” she said in a statement.
The speaker race evolved into a high-stakes struggle over whether the council would serve as an ally or a counterweight to Mamdani’s progressive governing plans. Hudson, a member of the Progressive Caucus, was viewed as closely aligned with Mamdani’s vision — while Menin was considered the more moderating force.
Menin left the Progressive Caucus in 2023 after tensions erupted over its push to defund the police. While she has expressed openness to some of Mamdani’s priorities, such as universal childcare, she has voiced doubts about his proposed “Department of Community Safety,” according to sources.
Concerns over how committed Menin would be to Mamdani’s agenda sparked a behind-the-scenes pressure effort from his allies. Councilman Lincoln Restler, City Comptroller Brad Lander, and longtime political operative and former ambassador Patrick Gaspard all lobbied members to support Hudson.
Gaspard stirred particular frustration among insiders for pressing the health care workers’ union 1199SEIU to endorse Hudson even after it was clear she lacked the votes.
“How do you ask a major union to back a candidate for speaker when the opponent already has written support from a supermajority of members?” one veteran political operative said. “Not a pro move.”
Another adviser added, “His diplomatic skills seemed a little rusty. Too little, too late.”
The push on behalf of Hudson, however, was seen as far less forceful than Eric Adams’ aggressive — and unsuccessful — 2021 attempt to install ally Francisco Moya as speaker. That effort is widely believed to have contributed to lingering tension between Adams, current Speaker Adrienne Adams, and the council.
