Policy Alert - 11.17.2021

NYC General Election Recap

November 17, 2021 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

Despite Election Day playing out largely as expected, it’s already been a busy month in New York politics. On the City front, in addition to electing a new Mayor, Comptroller and four new Borough Presidents, New York City has 35 new Council Members (of the 51 member council). NYC’s 2022 Council Members will be the most diverse representation the City has ever had, including 30 women, 6 LGBTQ members and many members who are part of ethnic groups that have never had electoral representation on the council.There are still a few undecided races that will be determined by absentee ballots, but it looks like the ideological makeup will include at least two new Republicans (GOP candidates did outperform throughout the City and State, as they also did nationally) and two new members who are Democratic Socialists. Moderates Rita Joseph, Kamillah Hanks, and Lynn Schulman are all expected to be power players, while Tiffany Cabán is expected to lead the left contingent (although there are a number of new, younger members who identify as very far left and will be looking to make their mark, including Shahana Hanif, Alexa Aviles, Sandy Nurse, and Chi Osse). And, on the State level, candidates are beginning to declare their intentions to run for Governor and Attorney General. Below you will find a Tech:NYC directory of our 2022 Council Members. (And, if you’re looking for a comprehensive electoral breakdown of how each district voted, check out the New York Times and City and State’s recaps!)If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at [email protected].

The key takeaway from the first two weeks of November is simple: it’s going to be a busy 2022 in New York and an important year for the tech industry to cement our role in the political process. Our next Mayor, Eric Adams, has made it clear that he intends to be a solid partner for the tech industry. In fact, Adam’s already stated that he wants to be paid his first few months of salary with cryptocurrency. We’re working closely with the transition team as they set up the administration with an eye toward New York’s recovery.On both the local and state front, we’re beginning the process of setting up meetings with the 2022 class of City Council Members and key state legislators. Over two months, we plan to hold meetings with the Members who are candidates for speaker of the City Council. Invites for these sessions will go out upon scheduling. If there’s an elected official you’re eager to meet with, let our team know and we’ll get it on the books.As part of our transition research and preparation, we’ll also be working with key 2022 elected officials to survey where they stand on the current tech policies currently in front of the City Council. We’ll be following up with them to provide education on those issues. Additionally, we’ll be working to connect our members with elected officials to help solve problems their constituents are facing that they might not even realize have tech and business solutions. 

Candidates for Speaker of the NYC Council

Justin Brannan - District 43 

  • Incumbent Member 

  • Neighborhoods in District: Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach

  • Key Background: Brannan began his career as a professional musician. He got involved in union organizing and then served as Chief of Staff to his predecessor Council Member Gentile and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at  the Department of Education.

Carlina Rivera – District 2

  • Incumbent Member 

  • Neighborhoods in District: East Village, Gramercy Park, Kips Bay,  Lower East Side, Murray Hill, Rose Hill 

  • Key Background: Rivera is currently chair of the Council’s Committee on Hospitals and Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus. 

  • Additional Note: Rivera represents union square which includes the Zero Irving tech hub as well as other tech company HQs.

Keith Powers – District 4 

  • Incumbent Member 

  • Neighborhoods in District: Upper East Side, Carnegie Hill,  Yorkville, Central Park South, Midtown East, Times  Square, Koreatown, Stuyvesant Town and Peter  Cooper Village, Waterside Plaza, Tudor City, Turtle  Bay, Murray Hill, Sutton Place 

  • Key Background: Powers serves as Chair of the  Criminal Justice Committee. He played a key role in stewarding the vote to close Rikers Island and has  passed legislation to eliminate bail fees. 

Gale Brewer - District 6 

  • New/Former Member 

  • Neighborhoods in District: Central Park, Lincoln Square, Upper  West Side, Clinton 

  • Key Background: Brewer is currently the Manhattan Borough  President, having taken office in 2014. Brewer  previously served on the City Council for 12 years and is returning to her old seat.  

Diana Ayala - District 8 

  • Incumbent Member 

  • Neighborhoods in District: El Barrio/East Harlem, Mott Haven,  Highbridge, Concourse, Longwood, Port Morris 

  • Key Background: Before being elected in 2017, Ayala was a member of the team for Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito as Constituent Services Director and then Deputy Chief of Staff.  

Adrienne Adams - District 28

  • Incumbent Member 

  • Neighborhoods in District: Jamaica, Richmond Hill, Rochdale  Village, South Ozone Park 

  • Key Background: Before her election in 2017,  Adams served as  Chairperson of Community Board 12, Queens – the  2nd largest Community Board in the borough.