Diana Ayala

Diana Ayala
Deputy Speaker of the New York City Council
In office
January 5, 2022 – December 31, 2025
Preceded byPosition reestablished
Succeeded byNantasha Williams
Member of the New York City Council
from the 8th district
In office
January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2025
Preceded byMelissa Mark-Viverito
Succeeded byElsie Encarnacion
Personal details
Born (1973-09-24) September 24, 1973
Río Piedras, Puerto Rico
PartyDemocratic
EducationBronx Community College (AS)
Lehman College (BS)
WebsiteOfficial website

Diana Ayala (born September 24, 1973) is an American politician, who served as a member and the deputy speaker of the New York City Council since until 2025. Ayala represented the 8th district, succeeding former Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito in 2017.[1] The district includes Concourse, East Harlem, Highbridge, Longwood, Mott Haven, Port Morris, and Randall's Island. She is a member of the Democratic Party.[2]

Early life and education

Born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, she and her family moved to New York City when she was a child. They lived in public housing after living in shelters. She received an associate degree in Human Services from Bronx Community College,[3] and a bachelor's degree in Sociology from Lehman College in 2000.[4]

Career

Ayala worked as a Senior Center Director in East Harlem for seven years. She then served as Constituent Services Director and Deputy Chief of Staff for her predecessor, Melissa Mark-Viverito.[5]

New York City Council

Ayala ran against three other candidates in the Democratic primary for the open 8th city council district. Ayala had the support of Melissa Mark-Viverito, the term-limited incumbent and Speaker. Ayala's main primary opponent was Robert J. Rodriguez, an assemblyman. Ayala won the primary narrowly with 43.5% of the vote (4,012 votes) to Rodriguez's 42.23% (3,895 votes). In the general election, Ayala won 91.07% of the vote (13,617 votes), while her Republican opponent, Daby Benjaminé Carreras, won 5.26% (787 votes) and her Conservative opponent, Linda Ortiz, won 3.30% of the vote (494 votes).[6]

Ayala criticized fellow New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov for not apologizing for bringing a gun to a Pro-Palestine rally at Brooklyn College a few days after the October 7, 2023 attacks against Israeli citizens by members of Hamas in Israel. Vernikov was arrested, but no charges were filed because the gun was missing a part that made it unfunctional. Ayala motioned to end the investigation from proceeding for another year in the Rules Committee chaired by Sandra Ung.[7]

Election history
Location Year Election Results
NYC Council
District 8		 2017 Democratic Primary √ Diana Ayala 43.50%
Robert J. Rodriguez 42.23%
Tamika Mapp 9.78%
Israel Martinez 4.26%
NYC Council
District 8		 2017 General √ Diana Ayala (D) 90.90%
Daby Carreras (R) 5.36%
Linda Ortiz (Conservative) 3.37%

In February 2026, Ayala announced that she has challenged Assemblyman Eddie Gibbs and is running to replace him in the New York State Assembly.[8]

Personal life

Ayala and her long-time partner live in East Harlem. She has four children and three grandchildren.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Pastor, Kate (September 13, 2017). "Ayala Declares Victory in Tight Race to Replace Melissa Mark-Viverito". DNAinfo New York. Archived from the original on January 1, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  2. ↑ Krisel, Brendan (September 20, 2017). "Diana Ayala Wins East Harlem City Council Primary". Harlem, NY Patch.
  3. ↑ "Diana Ayala". Hyperleap. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021.
  4. ↑ Ayala, Diana. "New York City Council Member". LinkedIn. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  5. 1 2 City Council Bio
  6. ↑ "Diana Ayala - Ballotpedia". Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  7. ↑ https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/12/09/nyc-council-committee-blasts-inna-vernikov-bringing-gun-protest-doesnt-censure-her/
  8. ↑ https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2026/02/diana-ayala-files-run-against-eddie-gibbs-his-assembly-seat/411499/?oref=csny-homepage-top-story
  • Councilwoman Diana Ayala (official site)
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