Julie Menin: Campaigns and Elections
2013 Manhattan Borough President Race
Menin's first run for elected office was in the 2013 Democratic primary for Manhattan Borough President . She led all candidates in fundraising, raising more than $1 million according to New York City Campaign Finance Board records . She secured endorsements from Council Members Ydanis Rodriguez, Margaret Chin, and Melissa Mark-Viverito, as well as the late Mayor Ed Koch . Despite the financial advantage, she finished fourth in the primary behind the eventual winner, Gale Brewer . The loss prompted Menin to return to city government in appointed positions rather than pursuing elected office immediately .
2021 City Council District 5 Primary
In 2021, Menin entered the seven-candidate Democratic primary for the open District 5 City Council seat on the Upper East Side, which was vacated by term-limited Council Member Ben Kallos . Running as a former census director and three-time city commissioner, she emphasized her government experience and focused on public safety, small business recovery, and education .
In the June 2021 ranked-choice voting primary, Menin led with approximately 34 percent of first-choice votes after initial tabulation, ahead of Tricia Shimamura at approximately 24 percent, Rebecca Lamorte at approximately 12 percent, and Kim Moscaritolo at approximately 11 percent . She was declared the winner after ranked-choice tabulation in round six . Citizens Union endorsed her candidacy, citing her unmatched experience, knowledge, and capability among the field .
Outside spending played a notable role in the race. A political action committee called Rebuild NYC 2021 paid more than $191,000 to support Menin's campaign through mailers, television and internet advertisements, and text messages . She also drew scrutiny for the volume of outside group spending supporting her candidacy .
2021 City Council District 5 General Election
Menin defeated Republican Mark Foley in the November 2, 2021, general election with approximately 74 percent of the vote to Foley's 25 percent . The district's heavy Democratic registration advantage made the general election result expected, though the Upper East Side has historically exhibited a moderate-to-conservative streak relative to other Manhattan neighborhoods .
2025 City Council District 5 Re-Election
Menin won re-election in the June 2025 Democratic primary, defeating first-time candidate Collin Thompson with approximately 73 percent of first-choice votes . As of primary day, she had raised the second-most dollars among all City Council candidates at $658,786 . She defeated Republican challenger Alina Bonsell in the November 2025 general election by a margin of approximately 48 percentage points .
Her dominant re-election performance fueled speculation that she was positioning for a speaker's race, and she reportedly contributed to 19 winning Democratic Council candidates during the 2025 cycle, building the broad base of support she would later leverage for the speakership .
2025 to 2026 City Council Speaker Race
Menin's campaign for Speaker of the City Council was years in the making, with observers noting that she had been working toward the goal since winning her Council seat in 2021 . She gradually built support among institutional power players, sponsoring legislation favorable to unions, donating to colleagues' campaigns, and courting county political organizations and incoming members .
On November 26, 2025, the eve of the Thanksgiving holiday, Menin announced she had secured commitments from 36 Council members, well above the 26 votes needed for election, making her declaration of victory the earliest in the history of the speaker's race . Her endorsers included all Republican representatives, moderate Democrats, and several members of the Progressive Caucus . Key labor endorsements came from the United Federation of Teachers, 32BJ SEIU, the New York City District Council of Carpenters, and the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council .
Her chief rival, Crystal Hudson of Brooklyn, who had the support of SEIU 1199 and much of the progressive wing, conceded the race shortly after Menin's announcement . Other candidates who had been in the running included Amanda Farias of the Bronx, Selvena Brooks-Powers of Queens, and Chris Marte of Manhattan .
Mamdani's team reportedly attempted a last-minute effort to derail Menin's bid in favor of a more progressive candidate, but the effort was unsuccessful given the breadth of her support . On January 7, 2026, at the Council's charter meeting, Menin was elected Speaker by a unanimous 51-0 vote .
Campaign Finance and Fundraising
Menin has been a consistently strong fundraiser throughout her political career. In the 2013 Manhattan Borough President race, she led in total campaign funds raised . In the 2025 re-election cycle, her $658,786 in fundraising placed her second among all City Council candidates . Her fundraising capacity, combined with her husband's connections in the real estate and business sectors, has been cited as a significant political asset, though it has also drawn criticism from opponents who view it as evidence of an outsized influence of wealth in local politics .