Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
The New City Council Speaker: Christine Quinn
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 3, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 3, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
While it's not completely official (a vote needs to take place), the City Council has selected Christine Quinn, the Democratic Manhattan member who represents Greenwich Village, Chelsea, and Clinton, to be the new speaker. She secured her bid when the powerful Queens city council bloc decided to support her instead of Brooklyn member Bill deBlasio. Quinn will be the first female city council speaker, as well the first openly gay speaker, and Gothamist enjoyed news stations showing footage of her City Hall protest against the mayor's lack of work for gay rights - Quinn had a stack of waffles (or pancakes) and maple syrup, making us wonder if the secret cache of City Council maple syrup is what caused the smell. Quinn has supported workers benefits, better healthcare and gay rights, as well as being a loud opponent of the West Side Stadium. She also backed the smoking ban.
Anyhow, some members who supported deBlasio were a-okay with Quinn as speaker - John Liu said, "They are not all that different. In the end, it's like choosing between chocolate chip ice cream and chocolate fudge swirl ice cream" - while some members were very, very upset - Charles Barron told The Politicker, "This is an extension of Millerism. Alliances with the real estate industry and allegiance to Queens. Quinn will not be independent from Queens just like Miller wasn't, and to me that's disgusting."
Backroomie has deBlasio's concession.
Tagged
brooklyn
Charles Barron
Chelsea
christine quinn
city
City Council
City hall
clinton
gay
gothamist
greenwich
greenwich village
ice cream
industry
jen chung
john liu
manhattan
maple syrup
News: NYC
Politics
protest
queens
real estate
smell
smoking
smoking ban
The Politicker
the smell
theater
west side
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot by ICE in NYC still has bullet lodged in neck, attorneys say
Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old immigrant from the Dominican Republic, was in solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park on Monday.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Oct 12, 2026 at 11:37 a.m. ET
NY measles spread prompts 'disaster' emergency. It didn't have to be this way, health commissioner says.
The state health commissioner says the disease outbreak is wholly preventable.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
News
NY measles spread prompts 'disaster' emergency. It didn't have to be this way, health commissioner says.
The state health commissioner says the disease outbreak is wholly preventable.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
NYC wants to move deliveries onto the waterways. It's starting with a 55-year-old boat.
By
Liam Quigley
Inside the luxury Greenpoint high-rise powered by a rumbling generator for over a month
By
David Brand
Mayor Mamdani orders review of NYPD use of force policies
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .