The New York City Council on Wednesday unanimously elected Manhattan Council Member Julie Menin as speaker the first Jewish person to hold the post, a role in which she pledged to be a speaker for every single member of this council. Menin was elected during the Council's 2026 Charter Meeting on Jan. 7, opening a new legislative session and continuing a women-majority Council.
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.