Late Sunday evening, Manhattan’s Uptown Councilwoman Carmen De La Rosa announced her withdrawal from the City Council speaker race, instead endorsing her Brooklyn colleague, Crystal Hudson, as the next prospective leader of the chamber.
De La Rosa, a progressive representative for Inwood, communicated her decision in an email to fellow council members. She expressed that after “much reflection,” she chose to step away from the speaker candidacy.
In the email, which was shared with the Daily News, De La Rosa encouraged her colleagues to rally behind Hudson. Hudson, also a progressive, is considered a strong contender for the speaker position.
“Now is the time to unite behind Council Member Hudson,” De La Rosa wrote. “I have witnessed her leadership marked by integrity, and her dedication to advocating for our seniors and working families. I am convinced that our aligned mission, values, and vision will steer the Council’s efforts in the upcoming four years. I am eager to collaborate with Crystal to gain your support and realize the inclusive vision we all share for a Council that serves every New Yorker.”
While Hudson, who represents areas including Crown Heights and Prospect Heights, has yet to comment, De La Rosa’s Sunday night decision was initially reported by City & State.
Current Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is set to leave her position at the year’s end due to term limit restrictions.
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 significant influence over the speaker’s race.
