The Republican Delegation of the New York City Council has elected Council Member Joann Ariola as the new Minority Leader.
Ariola’s election follows an internal dispute over a controversial vote in late January, in which half the caucus members contested the results.
Ariola’s election marks a historic moment for the city. She becomes the first female to hold the position of Minority Leader since Susan Molinari’s tenure from 1986 to 1990. She is also the first member of the Queens delegation to take on this role since 2001.
“I am so proud to have the trust of our delegation to be their Minority Leader,” Ariola stated. “Our delegation is dominated by women, as is the City Council as a whole. I take this role very seriously and will work hard to ensure our delegation receives the respect and inclusion it deserves. The Minority Leadership will allow me to help and work with all of my colleagues in every borough to fight for what everyday New Yorkers want.”
Ariola’s comments reflect her commitment to representing the diverse needs of her colleagues and the residents of Queens, particularly those related to safety, quality of life, and freedom.
She further emphasized her intention to continue working across party lines, even reaching out to the Trump administration for support in bringing change to the city.
In a move that further solidified her leadership, Ariola appointed Council Member Vickie Paladino, who represents District 19, to the position of Minority Whip.
Ariola’s rise to the position follows significant controversy within the Republican Caucus after a Jan. 28 vote to elect a new Minority Leader. That vote, which took place at City Hall, was attended by only three of the six Republican members: outgoing Minority Leader Joe Borelli (Staten Island), Council Member David Carr (Staten Island), and Council Member Inna Vernikov (Brooklyn). Council Members Ariola, Paladino, and Kristy Marmorato (Bronx) were absent.
During the meeting, Borelli announced his resignation as Minority Leader and nominated Carr to fill the role. Carr, Borelli, and Vernikov unanimously voted in favor of Carr’s appointment.
However, the absence of the other three members led to a contentious dispute, with Ariola, Paladino, and Marmorato filing paperwork to contest the vote. The meeting was scheduled with too little notice to attend. Ariola, calling the process “illegitimate,” led the charge to reject Carr’s certificate, prompting a new vote to be scheduled.
On Monday, Feb. 3, a new vote was rescheduled for Friday, Feb. 7, giving the caucus members more notice to attend. However, only Ariola, Paladino, and Marmorato attended, and they unanimously elected Ariola as Minority Leader. Council members Carr and Vernikov were noticeably absent from the vote. Carr had a scheduling conflict, while Vernikov did not respond when contacted, according to Ariola.
Since taking office in 2022, Ariola has built a reputation as a firm, common-sense Council Member, championing legislation that promotes transparency within the Department of Transportation and creating the Mayor’s Office of Marine Debris Removal.
As Chair of the Fire and Emergency Management Committee, Ariola has advocated for the safety and well-being of New York’s first responders, securing funding for fire departments and EMS workers.
The Republican Delegation now consists of Minority Leader Ariola, Minority Whip Paladino, Council Member Marmorato, Council Member Carr, and Council Member Vernikov.
Ariola, a lifelong resident of the 32nd Council District, was born and raised in Ozone Park and now resides in Howard Beach with her husband, John, their grandson, Gabriel, and their Boston Terrier, Rocky.
“I promise to continue to be the voice of common sense and continue to fight for our safety, quality of life, and our freedom. As in the past, I will continue to work across the aisle to get the job done for all our residents. I am already working with President Trump’s administration to see how they can affect much-needed change for us here in New York City,” Ariola added.
