Uptown Manhattan Councilwoman Carmen De La Rosa pulled out of the City Council speaker race late Sunday and offered support for her Brooklyn colleague Crystal Hudson‘s bid to become the chamber’s next top leader.
In an evening email to colleagues, De La Rosa, a progressive Democrat who represents Inwood, wrote that after “much reflection” she had decided to remove her name from consideration in the speaker’s race.
De La Rosa’s email, a copy of which was obtained by the Daily News, urged all her colleagues to instead support Hudson, another progressive who has emerged as one of the favorites to become the next speaker.
“Now is the time to unite behind Council Member Hudson,” De La Rosa’s email read. “I have seen her lead with integrity, standing up for our seniors and working families. I am confident that our shared mission, values, and vision will guide this Council’s work over the next four years. I look forward to working with Crystal to earn your support and to achieve the vision we all share: a broad, inclusive Council that serves every New Yorker.”
Hudson, whose district includes Crown Heights and Prospect Heights, didn’t immediately return a request for comment.
Incumbent Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is leaving office at the end of this year due to term limits.
Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Daily News
Outgoing City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (left) and Council Member Crystal Hudson attend a rally outside City Hall in 2024. (Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Daily News)
The speaker’s race is an internal contest, decided by the body’s 51 members in a vote set to take place at the beginning of next year. Due to the internal nature of the contest, it’s typically heavily influenced by powerbrokers of city politics, including the mayor, county party bosses, labor leaders and local members of Congress.
The other leading contender for speaker at this point is Manhattan Councilwoman Julie Menin, according to Council insiders. Council members Amanda Farias of the Bronx, Chris Marte of Manhattan and Selvena Brooks-Powers of Queens have also expressed interest in the speaker’s post, though their bids have not picked up as much steam internally, sources say.
On Sunday, New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the boss of the Queens Democratic Party, held a meeting with labor leaders to try to line up support for Menin, according to multiple sources familiar with the meeting.
In her email to members, De La Rosa suggested Hudson is an especially potent candidate because of her identity as a Black, gay woman.
“Our Council must be led by someone who reflects our city and its beautiful mosaic of people and neighborhoods. Crystal’s work has centered the experiences and struggles that so many New Yorkers have faced throughout their lives,” De La Rosa wrote. “And as women of color, we both understand exactly what is at stake. With Trumpism on the rise and ICE continuing to harm our communities, we must have a Council that truly represents and delivers for the people it serves—especially our most vulnerable neighbors.”
Whoever wins Tuesday’s mayoral election is likely to be able to exert influence over the speaker’s race.
