Menin namechecks many pals, but not Mamdani

A new City Council speaker enters office owing many political power-brokers for their success. The evidence of that is often their inaugural address, which is chock-full of shoutouts. 

True to tradition, City Council Speaker Julie Menin thanked many allies after she was unanimously elected by her colleagues Wednesday afternoon.

Elected officials and other local dignitaries got their due first, predictably. But in keeping with the recipe of her success, Menin’s labor allies were the first non-electeds to get nods in her speech, starting with Hotel and Gaming Trades Council President Rich Maroko and SEIU Local 32BJ President Manny Pastreich.

The two unions were perhaps the Upper East Sider’s most pivotal supporters, helping Menin garner early momentum in the race. Other union heads like United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew, District Council 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido, American Federation of Teachers Randy Weingarten, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union President Stuart Appelbaum and NY Central Labor Council President Brendan Griffith were also acknowledged.

Speeches of this nature are an opportunity for powerful elected officials to acknowledge allies and build bridges with individuals they wish to gain ground with. Shout outs can be both strategic and personal. Olive branch and courtesy. 

During his inauguration speech last week for example, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani paid tribute to important allies like Gov. Kathy Hochul, Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Other acknowledgements were more a courtesy, like when he thanked his predecessor Mayor Eric Adams. 

Menin even graced her competitors in the speaker’ race with a “special thank you.” And of course former City Council speakers Adrienne Adams, Corey Johnson, Melissa Mark-Viverito and Gifford Miller also got nods. As did Attorney General Letitia James.

One person Menin didn’t call out by name – though she referenced him collegially multiple times   – is Mayor Zohran Mamdani.