By Forum Staff
The Republican delegation of the City Council on Friday elected Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) as the Minority Leader of Gotham’s legislative body.
Ariola is the first female council member to earn the role since Susan Molinari was a minority leader of one from 1986-1990, and the first member of the Queens delegation to hold the position since 2001.
Ariola appointed Councilwoman Vickie Paladino (R-Whitestone) to the position of Minority Whip.
“I am so proud to have the trust of our delegation to be their Minority Leader,” Ariola said. “Our delegation is dominated by women, as is the City Council as a whole. I take this role very seriously and will work hard to make sure our delegation receives the respect and inclusion it deserves. The Minority Leadership will allow me to help and work with all of my colleagues in every borough to fight for what everyday New Yorkers want. I promise to continue to be the voice of common sense and continue to fight for our safety, quality of life and our freedom. As in the past, I will continue to work across the aisle to get the job done for all our residents and I am already working with President Trump’s administration to see how they can affect much needed change for us here in New York City.”
The Minority Leader of the City Council pilots its GOP delegation, consisting of Minority Leader Ariola, Minority Whip Paladino, Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato (R-Bronx), Councilman David Carr (R-Staten Island) and Councilwoman Inna Vernikov (R-Brooklyn).
“I look forward to working together with Minority Whip Paladino and the entire delegation to affect change for our city,” Ariola said.
The Council is separate from the mayor’s administration but an equal partner in how the City is run.
For example, while the mayor has the option of vetoing legislation that we have approved, the Council can respond with a two-thirds or more vote enacting a law over the objection of the mayor to turn a bill into a law. The council negotiates to ensure that certain services are included in the City’s budget.
Ariola has represented the 32nd Council District since 2022. Ariola is a lifelong resident of the district. Born June 14, 1958, Joann is the eldest child of a prominent Ozone Park family. During her childhood, the family – including her younger sister and brother – relocated to a new home in Howard Beach. She attended P.S. 63 (Old South), P.S. 207 (Rockwood Park), Our Lady of Grace Catholic School, Stella Maris High School on the Rockaway Peninsula and Adelphi Business School. Ariola is the mother of three boys and grandmother to twin 9-year-old boys and an 18-year-old grandson.
Ariola entered into the political arena in 1993 as chief of staff for City Councilman Alfonso Stabile. 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.
Ariola lives in Howard Beach neighborhood of Queens with her husband John, grandson Gabriel and Boston Terrier Rocky.
