Joann Ariola

Joann Ariola
Ariola in 2025
Minority Leader of the New York City Council
In office February 7, 2025 –January 7, 2026

Ariola entered into the political arena in 1993 as chief of staff for New York City Councilmember Alfonso C. Stabile. In 1996, Ariola unsuccessfully ran against Audrey Pheffer for a seat in the New York State Assembly.

Later, Ariola served as communications director for Councilmember Noach Dear, before unsuccessfully running against Joseph Addabbo Jr. in 2001 for the City Council seat left vacant by Stabile.

Following the unsuccessful 2001 race, Ariola worked under the Bloomberg administration as an Assistant Commissioner with the Community Assistance Unit until 2006, when she entered into the private sector as Director of Intergovernmental Relations for Medisys.

2020 Borough President race

See also: 2021 New York City borough president elections § 2020 Queens special election

In 2020, Ariola ran for Queens Borough President against Donovan Richards, losing in the special election with 27.72% of the vote.

2021 City Council race

Ariola was elected to the NYC City Council in 2021 over Democrat Felicia Singh. Despite many predicting a close race, ^[1] she handily defeated Singh 67%-32%. ^{[2] [3]}

Ariola was elected minority leader of the New York City Council in February 2025. Joe Borelli resigned from the City Council to work in the private sector. During the private election, Joe Borelli and Inna Vernikov voted for David Carr. Vicky Paladino, Kristy Marmorato, and Ariola did not show up to vote. Speaker Adrienne Adams intervened in the disputed election. After reviewing the rules of the City Council's internal election process, the speaker determined that a re-election had to take place. The last three New York City Council members were present during the meeting and voted for Ariola as their new leader. The first three members did not show up. Ariola was declared the new leader of the Republican caucus. ^{[4] [5]}

Election history

2021 New York City Council election, District 32 Republican primary & general election ^[6]

Primary election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Joann Ariola	2,378	82.0
	Republican	Steve Sirgiovanni	494	17.0
Total votes			2,900	100
General election
	Republican	Joann Ariola	16,910	66.2%
	Democratic	Felicia Singh	8,322	32.6%
	Community First	Kenichi Wilson	223	1.2%
Total votes

References

1. Kilgannon, Corey (May 17, 2021). "And Then There was One: GOP Defends its Last Seat in Queens". New York Times . Retrieved January 16, 2022.
2. "Joann Ariola | New York City Campaign Finance Board".
3. Sommerfeldt, Chris (November 2, 2021). "Queens GOP Chair Joann Ariola defeats Democratic Challenger in Key NYC Council Race". New York Daily News . Retrieved January 16, 2022.
4. https://www.silive.com/news/2026/01/staten-island-regains-city-council-gop-leadership.html
5. https://www.silive.com/politics/2025/02/this-is-the-first-time-this-city-council-position-has-been-held-by-a-non-staten-islander-in-20-years.html
6. "2021 Primary Official Ranked Choice Rounds, REP Council Member 32nd Council District" (PDF). New York City Board of Elections. July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021.

External links

Political offices
Preceded by Eric Ulrich	Member of the New York City Council from the 32nd district 2021–present	Incumbent