NYC 2025: City Council Republicans Divided Over New Caucus Leader

"A schism has opened up right down the middle of the City Council’s Republican conference over who should be their next minority leader," reported The Queens Eagle. "The six Republican members of the City Council are split three-to-three on who should lead their conference after Staten Island Councilmember Joe Borelli (R-South Shore SI) announced his plan to resign earlier this week."

Mid-Staten Island's David Carr (R) and Joann Ariola of Howard Beach (R) are the two candidates to be the new Minority Leader. Carr, Borelli, and Councilmember Inna Vernikov (R-Coney Island, Midwood) held a vote Tuesday afternoon and unanimously voted for Carr.

"However, Ariola’s camp, which includes fellow Queens Councilmember Vickie Paladino (R-Whitestone, Bayside) and Bronx Councilmember Kristy Marmorato (R-Throggs Neck, Pelham Bay), were not present for the vote. After the proceeding, the trio penned a letter to Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (D) calling the vote a sham and asking her not to certify the results."