Julie Menin Becomes New York City Council Speaker

Menin says it's "an honor of a lifetime" to serve in the role.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 11:21pm

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Julie Menin has been elected as the seventh speaker of the New York City Council, becoming the first elected Jewish speaker at a time the city elected its first Muslim mayor. Menin views this unique dynamic as an opportunity and says she is ready to work to make the city a better place for all New Yorkers.

Why it matters

Menin's rise to speaker highlights the growing diversity of New York City's political leadership, with the election of the city's first Muslim mayor and Menin as the first elected Jewish speaker of the City Council. As speaker, Menin will play a key role in shaping the city's policies and priorities.

The details

Menin's path to the speakership was not intentional, but rather grew out of her involvement in the city after 9/11, when she started a non-profit focused on rebuilding downtown and helping small businesses. This led to her being appointed to the local community board and the jury that picked the 9/11 memorial. Menin has worked in various capacities in and around New York City government, including as commissioner for the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment.

  • Menin was elected as the seventh speaker of the New York City Council in January 2026.
  • Menin recently visited a Brooklyn playground defaced by swastikas and held a City Council hearing on a package of bills aimed at combatting antisemitism.

The players

Julie Menin

The newly elected speaker of the New York City Council, who is the first elected Jewish speaker at a time the city elected its first Muslim mayor.

Zohran Mamdani

The newly elected mayor of New York City, who is the city's first Muslim mayor.

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What they’re saying

“It's an honor of a lifetime to serve as speaker of the New York City Council.”

— Julie Menin, New York City Council Speaker (CBS News)

“We know that antisemitic incidents are 57% of all hate crimes, yet the Jewish population, we're 10% of the city's population.”

— Julie Menin, New York City Council Speaker (CBS News)

What’s next

Menin plans to focus on several key priorities as speaker, including restoring faith in city government, addressing issues like Rikers Island, staffing vacancies at city agencies, and developing a proactive vision on affordable housing.

The takeaway

Menin's election as the first elected Jewish speaker of the New York City Council, at a time when the city has elected its first Muslim mayor, represents a significant milestone in the city's political leadership and diversity. As speaker, Menin will play a crucial role in shaping the city's policies and priorities, with a focus on issues like combating antisemitism, improving city services, and addressing the city's affordable housing crisis.