Joseph Charles Borelli (born July 27, 1982)[1] is an American politician and the New York City Council member for the 51st district and Minority Leader of the New York City Council. He is a Republican and a former media surrogate of the Donald Trump campaign.[2] The district encompasses much of Staten Island's South Shore.
Joe Borelli | |
|---|---|
 Borelli in 2023 | |
| Minority Leader of the New York City Council | |
| Assumed office November 17, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Steven Matteo |
| Member of the New York City Council from the 51st district | |
| Assumed office November 30, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Vincent Ignizio |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 62nd district | |
| In office January 1, 2013 – November 30, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Louis Tobacco |
| Succeeded by | Ronald Castorina |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joseph Charles Borelli July 27, 1982 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Marist College (BA) College of Staten Island (MA) |
| Website | Official website |
Early life, education, and career
editJoseph was born on Staten Island and adopted at birth by the Borelli family.[3] He attended Public School 4, Our Lady Star of the Sea Grammar School, and St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School,[1] starring on the football and swimming team, from which he graduated in 2000. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1997.
After graduating from Marist College, he worked on the campaign of Vincent Ignizio, who was elected to the New York State Assembly from the 62nd District. He became Chief-of-Staff to the then-Assemblyman, and continued in that role when Ignizio was elected to the New York City Council in February 2007.[1]
Political career
editBorelli was elected on November 6, 2012, to the State Assembly to succeed the retiring Louis Tobacco.[4] He was one of only two Republicans in New York City's State Assembly delegation.
On November 3, 2015, Borelli won election to replace fellow Republican Vincent Ignizio on the City Council. Ignizio left in July to work for a nonprofit. He was sworn into office on November 30, 2015, and was chosen to be the Council's Minority Whip. Borelli served as the chair of the Council's Committee on Fire and Emergency Management, where he oversaw the FDNY.[5]
In 2016, Borelli frequently appeared on national cable TV news shows where he supported Donald Trump as the Republican presidential nominee. Borelli also co-chaired Trump's campaign during the 2016 New York Republican primary.[2] Borelli was re-elected in the New York City Council elections, 2017, winning 80% of the vote.[6]
In 2019, Borelli was the Republican and Conservative Party nominee for NYC Public Advocate running against Democratic incumbent Jumaane Williams. Williams won the race garnering 77.9 percent of the vote to Borelli's 20%.[7][8] In 2019, New York State Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy named Borelli as a spokesman to help spread the New York GOP's message during the 2020 election cycle.[9]
On November 17, 2021, Borelli was elected as Minority Leader of the City Council's Republican delegation, replacing outgoing Council Member Steven Matteo.[citation needed] During his tenure, he grew the conference to six members and founded and co-chaired the Common Sense Caucus, which consists of nine moderate bipartisan members.
In 2022, Borelli successfully opposed the implementation of congestion pricing to areas of Manhattan because it would add costs, congestion and pollution for Staten Islanders.[10][11]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Joe Borelli: Biography". New York State Assembly. Archived from the original on January 6, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
- ^ a b Gay, Mara (May 13, 2016). "Donald Trump Supporter Wages Lonely Fight on Liberal New York City Council". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ Wrobleski, Tom (June 6, 2012). "Right-to-life support for Staten Island candidate, an adoptee". Staten Island Advance.
- ^ "First-time candidate Joseph Borelli declares victory in Staten Island's South Shore Assembly seat". Staten Island Advance. November 7, 2012. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
- ^ Hennelly, Bob (December 3, 2018). "Council Bills Eye Impact of Development on FDNY". The Chief. Retrieved 2020-02-09.
- ^ Bloch, Matthew; Lee, Jasmine (December 20, 2017). "Election Results: De Blasio Wins Second Term as New York City Mayor". The New York Times.
- ^ "Joe Borelli".
- ^ "Unofficial Election Night Results: Public Advocate". Board of Elections in the City of New York. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
- ^ Reisman, Nick (December 24, 2019). "State GOP Chair Turns To Staunch Trump Ally to Lead 2020 Messaging". Spectrum News 1. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
- ^ "New York City congestion pricing plan facing opposition". PIX11. 2022-09-13.
- ^ "Spotlight back on congestion pricing as state seeks new funds for MTA". ny1.com. 2023.