Diana Ayala | |
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Deputy Speaker of the New York City Council | |
Assumed office January 5, 2022 | |
Leader | Adrienne Adams |
Preceded by | Position reestablished |
Member of the New York City Council from the 8th district | |
Assumed office January 1,2018 | |
Preceded by | Melissa Mark-Viverito |
Personal details | |
Born | Río Piedras,Puerto Rico | September 24,1973
Political party | Democratic |
Education | Bronx Community College (AS) |
Website | Official website |
Diana Ayala (born September 24,1973)[ citation needed ] is an American politician,serving as a member and the deputy speaker of the New York City Council. Ayala represents the 8th district,succeeding former Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito in 2017. [1] The district includes Concourse,East Harlem,Highbridge,Longwood,Mott Haven,Port Morris,and Randall's Island. She is a member of the Democratic Party. [2]
Born in Rio Piedras,Puerto Rico,she and her family moved to New York City when she was a child. They lived in public housing after living in shelters. She received an associate degree in Human Services from Bronx Community College. [3]
Ayala worked as a Senior Center Director in East Harlem for seven years. She then served as Constituent Services Director and Deputy Chief of Staff for her predecessor,Melissa Mark-Viverito. [4]
Ayala ran against three other candidates in the Democratic primary for the open 8th city council district. Ayala had the support of Melissa Mark-Viverito,the term-limited incumbent and Speaker. Ayala's main primary opponent was Robert J. Rodriguez,an assemblyman. Ayala won the primary narrowly with 43.5% of the vote (4,012 votes) to Rodriguez's 42.23% (3,895 votes). In the general election,Ayala won 91.07% of the vote (13,617 votes),while her Republican opponent,Daby BenjaminéCarreras,won 5.26% (787 votes) and her Conservative opponent,Linda Ortiz,won 3.30% of the vote (494 votes). [5]
Election history | |||
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Location | Year | Election | Results |
NYC Council District 8 | 2017 | Democratic Primary | √Diana Ayala 43.50% Robert J. Rodriguez 42.23% Tamika Mapp 9.78% Israel Martinez 4.26% |
NYC Council District 8 | 2017 | General | √Diana Ayala (D) 90.90% Daby Carreras (R) 5.36% Linda Ortiz (Conservative) 3.37% |
Ayala and her long-time partner live in East Harlem. She has four children and three grandchildren. [4]