Incumbent
Who will be the next New York City Council Speaker?
$74.3K
JAN 6, 2027
Candidate standings
Live market pricing for the leading candidates in this election.
Overview
Current roleCouncil Member
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age43 years old (Mar 1, 1983)
GenderFemale
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LocationNew York
BackgroundPolitician (New York City Council Member)
EducationWilberforce University — B.A., Sociology
Notable personal detailsSelvena N. Brooks-Powers is a Democratic politician and community organizer who represents New York City Council District 31 in Southeast Queens and the Rockaways. She has chaired the Council’s Committee on Criminal Justice and previously served as the City Council’s Majority Whip and as the inaugural chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Before elected office, she worked in government and labor communications and in MWBE compliance and community outreach connected to major infrastructure projects. She holds degrees from Wilberforce University and New York University.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports increased public investments and targeted tax relief; calls for comprehensive property tax reform and an immediate homeowner rebate while backing expanded funding for programs like Fair Fares, early childhood education, and other city services in the city budget.
Healthcare
Supports expanding public health services and access to care in New York City, including creation of a trauma center for the Rockaways, expanding newborn home visiting services, and advocating for funding to strengthen local hospitals and primary care. Focuses on addressing health disparities in underserved neighborhoods through city-funded programs and capital investments.
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Immigration & Border
Supports policies that protect and integrate asylum seekers and immigrant communities, including expedited federal work authorization for asylum seekers and advocacy for resources for immigrant-serving programs. Emphasizes facilitating legal work and services to promote self-sufficiency for new arrivals while addressing local impacts on communities and businesses.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting and expanding access to abortion and reproductive health care, describing abortion access as health care and asserting that decisions about abortion should be made between a patient and their doctor rather than the government. Has sponsored and supported City Council resolutions and legislation aimed at defending and extending abortion and reproductive care access in New York City.
Climate & Energy
Supports city-level climate resilience, environmental justice, and clean-transportation measures including flash-flood preparedness, environmental impact studies for JFK Airport, transit expansion studies, and pollution-reduction rules. Has sponsored legislation increasing transparency on streets/transit projects and measures to address local air quality and infrastructure impacts. Endorsed by environmental groups for work on climate resilience in coastal and flood-vulnerable communities.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports measures to restrict public carry and increase local gun-safety protections and public education while emphasizing public safety. Has urged expansion of sensitive-location safety zones after the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision and backed city outreach to keep guns out of public places. Also promotes community safety programs such as self‑defense trainings and investments in violence-prevention initiatives.
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