Joann Ariola
Joann Ariola | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Ariola in 2025 | |
| Minority Leader of the New York City Council | |
| In office February 7, 2025 – January 7, 2026 | |
| Preceded by | David Carr |
| Succeeded by | David Carr |
| Member of the New York City Council from the 32nd district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Eric Ulrich |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 14, 1958 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Education | Adelphi University |
Joann Ariola-Shanks (born June 14, 1958) is a councilwoman of the New York City Council, representing District 32 which includes Glendale, Woodhaven, Ozone Park, Howard Beach, Broad Channel, and the western half of the Rockaway Peninsula. She previously served as the chairwoman of the Queens Republican Party.
Early life
Ariola is a lifelong resident of the 32nd Council District. Born on June 14, 1958, Ariola is the eldest child of a prominent Ozone Park, Queens family. During her childhood, the family - including her younger sister and brother - relocated to a new home in Howard Beach. She attended P.S. 63 (Old South), P.S. 207 (Rockwood Park), Our Lady of Grace Catholic School, Stella Maris High School on the Rockaway Peninsula and Adelphi Business School.
Political career
Ariola entered into the political arena in 1993 as chief of staff for New York City Councilmember Alfonso C. Stabile. In 1996, Ariola unsuccessfully ran against Audrey Pheffer for a seat in the New York State Assembly.
Later, Ariola served as communications director for Councilmember Noach Dear, before unsuccessfully running against Joseph Addabbo Jr. in 2001 for the City Council seat left vacant by Stabile.
Following the unsuccessful 2001 race, Ariola worked under the Bloomberg administration as an Assistant Commissioner with the Community Assistance Unit until 2006, when she entered into the private sector as Director of Intergovernmental Relations for Medisys.
2020 Borough President race
In 2020, Ariola ran for Queens Borough President against Donovan Richards, losing in the special election with 27.72% of the vote.
2021 City Council race
Ariola was elected to the NYC City Council in 2021 over Democrat Felicia Singh. Despite many predicting a close race,[1] she handily defeated Singh 67%-32%.[2][3]
Ariola was elected minority leader of the New York City Council in February 2025. Joe Borelli resigned from the City Council to work in the private sector. During the private election, Joe Borelli and Inna Vernikov voted for David Carr. Vicky Paladino, Kristy Marmorato, and Ariola did not show up to vote. Speaker Adrienne Adams intervened in the disputed election. After reviewing the rules of the City Council's internal election process, the speaker determined that a re-election had to take place. The last three New York City Council members were present during the meeting and voted for Ariola as their new leader. The first three members did not show up. Ariola was declared the new leader of the Republican caucus.[4][5]
Electoral history
2025
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Joann Ariola | 24,909 | 81.8 | |
| Conservative | Joann Ariola | 4,758 | 15.6 | |
| Total | Joann Ariola (incumbent) | 29,667 | 97.4 | |
| Write-in | 787 | 2.6 | ||
| Total votes | 30,454 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
2023
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Joann Ariola | 7,568 | 80.2 | |
| Conservative | Joann Ariola | 1,414 | 15.0 | |
| Total | Joann Ariola (incumbent) | 8,982 | 95.1 | |
| Write-in | 458 | 4.9 | ||
| Total votes | 9,440 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
2021
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Joann Ariola | 2,378 | 82.0 | |
| Republican | Stephen A. Sirgiovanni | 494 | 17.0 | |
| Write-in | 28 | 1.0 | ||
| Total votes | 2,900 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Joann Ariola[a] | 15,216 | 59.5 | |
| Conservative | Joann Ariola | 1,694 | 6.6 | |
| Total | Joann Ariola | 16,910 | 66.2 | |
| Democratic | Felicia Singh | 8,322 | 32.6 | |
| Community First | Kenichi Wilson | 283 | 1.1 | |
| Write-in | 40 | 0.2 | ||
| Total votes | 25,555 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
2020
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Donovan J. Richards Jr. | 518,840 | 69.8 | |
| Republican | Joann Ariola | 182,121 | 24.5 | |
| Conservative | Joann Ariola | 16,565 | 2.2 | |
| Save Our City | Joann Ariola | 7,207 | 1.0 | |
| Total | Joann Ariola | 205,893 | 27.7 | |
| Red Dragon | Dao Yin | 17,227 | 2.3 | |
| Write-in | 870 | 0.1 | ||
| Total votes | 742,830 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2001
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph P. Addabbo | 15,126 | 55.1 | |
| Republican | Joann Ariola | 10,184 | 37.1 | |
| Conservative | Joann Ariola | 982 | 3.6 | |
| Working Families | Joann Ariola | 326 | 1.2 | |
| Total | Joann Ariola | 11,492 | 41.9 | |
| Independence | John J. Baxter | 425 | 1.5 | |
| Green | Robert Curran | 405 | 1.5 | |
| Write-in | 3 | 0.0 | ||
| Total votes | 27,451 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
1996
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Audrey I. Pheffer | 19,121 | 56.9 | |
| Independence | Audrey I. Pheffer | 896 | 2.7 | |
| Liberal | Audrey I. Pheffer | 810 | 2.4 | |
| Total | Audrey I. Pheffer (incumbent) | 20,827 | 62.0 | |
| Republican | Joann Ariola | 10,655 | 31.7 | |
| Conservative | Joann Ariola | 2,108 | 6.3 | |
| Total | Joann Ariola | 12,763 | 38.0 | |
| Total votes | 33,590 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
Notes
- ↑ Shared with "Save Our City" ballot line.
References
- ↑ Kilgannon, Corey (May 17, 2021). "And Then There was One: GOP Defends its Last Seat in Queens". New York Times. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
- ↑ "Joann Ariola | New York City Campaign Finance Board".
- ↑ Sommerfeldt, Chris (November 2, 2021). "Queens GOP Chair Joann Ariola defeats Democratic Challenger in Key NYC Council Race". New York Daily News. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
- ↑ https://www.silive.com/news/2026/01/staten-island-regains-city-council-gop-leadership.html
- ↑ https://www.silive.com/politics/2025/02/this-is-the-first-time-this-city-council-position-has-been-held-by-a-non-staten-islander-in-20-years.html
- ↑ "00401100032Queens Member of the City Council 32nd Council District Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. December 2, 2025. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
- ↑ "00401600032Queens Member of the City Council 32nd Council District Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. December 5, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
- ↑ "REP Council Member 32nd Council District". Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. July 20, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
- ↑ "00400700032Queens Member of the City Council 32nd Council District Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. November 30, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
- ↑ "00400200013Queens Borough President Queens Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. December 1, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
- ↑ "2001 GENERAL ELECTION November 28, 2001" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. November 28, 2001. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
- ↑ "11-05-1996 General NY Assembly Member Results by Assembly District". ny.gov. New York State Board of Elections. November 5, 1996. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
