Joann Ariola Elected City Council Minority Leader

On Friday, February 7, the Republican Delegation of the New York City Council elected District 32’s Councilwoman Joann Ariola as the Minority Leader of the New York City Council.

Ariola is the first female Council Member to take on the role since Susan Molinari was a minority leader of one from 1986-1990, and the first member of the Queens delegation to hold the position since 2001.

“I am so proud to have the trust of our delegation to be their Minority Leader,” Minority Leader Ariola said. “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 make sure 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. 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 and 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.”

Council Member Vickie Paladino (R-Queens, District 19) was appointed to the position of Minority Whip by Minority Leader Ariola.

The Minority Leader of the City Council is the leader of the Republican Delegation of the New York City Council, consisting of Minority Leader Ariola, Minority Whip Councilwoman Paladino, Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato (R-Bronx, District 13), Councilman Carr (R-Staten Island, District 50) and Councilwoman Vernikov (R-Brooklyn, District 48).