Can Brooklyn stand united in City Council speaker race?

"Queens Democratic Party leader Rep. Greg Meeks is on record with strong praise of Julie Menin. Menin, a more moderate leaning member from Manhattan, also has some support in the Bronx, which tends to align with Queens. Council Member Crystal Hudson, meanwhile, is seen as a top pick for progressives. But no one's vote tally is written in ink. Some see potential for Council Member Amanda Farías to emerge as a compromise candidate should the two front-runners' nebulous coalitions fall apart."

"But an open question in the evolving internal race is how Brooklyn will position itself. The largest delegation in the council, Brooklyn comprises 17 members, including two Republicans and two members whose districts cross over into other boroughs. Unlike the Bronx and Queens, the borough has not been as influential as a bloc in speaker candidates' winning coalitions in the last couple elections."

""I've worked with, let's say, people from the progressive side and people from the moderate side to come together," Bichotte Hermelyn told City & State on Thursday. "Everybody agreed to consider working as a united front, given that over the course of the years, Brooklyn - who has been the largest county - has really gotten the short end of the stick as it comes to the City Council.""

The City Council speaker contest remains undecided with candidates seeking coalitions to reach a 26-vote majority. Queens leader Rep. Greg Meeks has publicly praised Julie Menin, who is a moderate Manhattan member with some Bronx support. Council Member Crystal Hudson is a leading choice for progressives. Amanda Farías is viewed as a possible compromise if front-runners' tentative coalitions collapse. Selvena Brooks-Powers and Chris Marte remain in the running and could still expand support. Brooklyn's 17-member delegation, historically less cohesive in speaker outcomes, is pursuing greater influence, with county leader Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn urging a united front across progressive and moderate members.

Read at City & State NY