It's a popularity contest among local lawmakers. The candidate with the most votes is elected City Council speaker, charged with helping to lead the city's legislative body.

Over the past few days, the jockeying for the seat has been unfolding at the "Somos El Futuro" conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 


What You Need To Know

  • There are several candidates officially in the running for City Council speaker, including Carlina Rivera, Adrienne Adams, Justin Brannan, Francisco Moya, Keith Powers and Dianna Ayala

  • In the past few days, they've all been courting their colleagues for a vote

  • The race will be decided in January, and clear battle lines have been drawn

  • There are those who say a woman must lead the body, especially now that they hold a majority of seats in the council

Councilwoman Carlina Rivera, a Democrat from Lower Manhattan, was seen dancing with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. An audience cheered as they two-stepped.

And there was also the occasional photo with Mayor-elect Eric Adams, who has said he doesn't have plans to get involved in the race.

“I’m not getting involved. I think it’s imperative that the councilmembers decide among themselves who is the best person, and we need to act as a partner," Adams said. "I’m just excited about the makeup of the council: young, energetic, a lot of ideas."

Another strategy is to host parties for colleagues and hope that a powerful county leader shows up.

That was the case at Rivera's party over the weekend, where Rep. Greg Meeks, chair of the Queens County Organization, made a pit-spot.

“I’m speaking to everyone, I’m going to go around speaking to everyone, because it’s important after we see the results, particularly on Tuesday, that we all work together, and we have to figure this out," Meeks said. "The speaker’s race has some great candidates running."

There are several candidates officially in the running: Rivera and fellow councilmembers Adrienne Adams, Justin Brannan, Francisco Moya, Keith Powers and Dianna Ayala.

In the past few days, they have all been courting their colleagues for a vote. The race will be decided in January, and clear battle lines have been drawn. There are those who say a woman must lead the body, especially now that they hold a majority of seats in the council.

Adrienne Adams said she was busy in the past few days talking with colleagues about her bid.

“We’ve got a majority of women coming in. It is crucial to me and so important that we have a woman, a woman of color, leading this body that is going to make history," she said. "Not just New York. We are making history for the country right now."

It will also come down to the politics. After progressives took a loss last week, some believe more moderate Democrats may now have a lane, and Republicans, who have now gained five seats, are looking to pull their weight.

“Myself and a number of the Republicans, a number of the moderates are going to want to see a real commitment before they commit their vote for speaker,” Staten Island Councilman Joe Borelli said. "Republicans haven’t had a problem supporting Democrats for speaker in the past, but we obviously want a say in how the city of New York is governed."

There is also drama unfolding on the enchanted island: Brannan, considered an early frontrunner, has seen his lead erode after a race in his home district in the City Council remains extremely close.

Several members of the council, including some who are running against him, said his close race weakened his chances at the speakership. Others said it was too soon to tell.

“I think it shows that I’m a guy who knows how to fight for every vote. Democrats in Southern Brooklyn don’t win in landslides,” Brannan said.

There are a few more months to make a deal, as the speaker vote is not expected until January after the entire new council has taken their oath of office.