City Council speaker is a perch with influence and visibility.

But it has not been a launching pad to higher office.

What You Need To Know

  • Johnson lost the city comptroller primary to Brad Lander

  • Before him, Melissa Mark-Viverito and Christine Quinn falter in their quests for higher-profile seats

  • But there is other success, including the initiative Mark-Viverito co-founded to get women elected
  • Johnson says he'll continue to work for New York City, whatever he does

Corey Johnson conceded this week to Brad Lander in the Democratic primary for city comptroller.

Johnson, who also eyed a bid for mayor, is only the latest speaker to stumble in his or her attempt to be elected elsewhere.

Melissa Mark-Viverito ran twice after leaving the council to lose twice.

“My name is Melissa Mark-Viverito and I’m running to be your public advocate,” she said in launching the campaign in 2018.

She came in third place, telling supporters in 2019, “I definitely know this is not the outcome we had all hoped for and that we all worked so hard for."

The following year, Mark-Viverito finished even lower in the crowded primary to represent the Bronx in Congress.

Before her, there was Christine Quinn, who fell short in her run for mayor in 2013.

“This was a hard-fought race," she told her backers then. "We took a lot of knocks. We were up against a lot of odds. But I am proud of the race we all ran.”

A look further back finds speakers Gifford Miller failing in his bid for mayor and Peter Vallone Sr. in his run for governor and mayor.

As council president, however, in 1950, Vincent Impelitterri became acting mayor and then was elected to the position.

Speakers — chosen for the post by their colleagues, not by voters — have found success outside of elected office.

Quinn helms WIN NYC, a network of family shelters and supportive housing.

“But still, 65 to 70% of the people in shelter are families with children,” she told "Inside City Hall" last May.

Mark-Viverito co-founded the 21 in ’21 initiative, which surpassed its goal to expand woman representation in the council.

The group touts 30 woman primary wins.

“I’ve always said it was no less than 21, so sky was the limit for us,” she told the "You Decide with Errol Louis" podcast last month.

So what’s next for Johnson? 

He told NY1 he’s excited to finish his term as speaker and spur the city’s recovery.

He said, “I got into public service to help the city I love, and I plan to continue doing that in the future.”