Council Minority Chief Joe Borelli.
Credit score: Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit
One among NYC’s lone Republicans in political workplace is asking it quits earlier than his time period restrict is up in November.
Metropolis Council Member Joe Borelli, the chamber’s minority chief who represents Staten Island’s overwhelmingly Republican 51st District on the South Shore, mentioned he’ll resign on the finish of January, in accordance with a number of studies. Borelli, who was already set to be term-limited from his put up this yr, plans to work within the personal sector.
A number of shops reported his resignation on Sunday.
The Staten Island native was elected into the council in 2015 and serves as its minority chief. He was outspoken throughout his tenure on varied points necessary to constituents in his district and different Staten Islanders.
Most lately on Aug. 21, 2024, he joined fellow Staten Island politicians, together with state Meeting Member Michael Tannousis, in pushing again towards a authorized hashish dispensary set to open in Nice Kills on the borough’s South Shore.
That pot store, referred to as Clouditude, is but to open.
L to R: NYC Council Member Joe Borelli, Neighborhood Board 3 member, Celia Iervasi, NYS Meeting Member Mike Reilly and NYS Meeting Member Michael Tannousis at a rally to protest the opening of a pot store on Staten Island.Photograph by Barbara Russo-Lennon
He additionally got here out robust after the July 13, 2024, assassination try on President Donald Trump in Butler, PA, stressing that political change ought to be made with voting not violence.
“I hear policies brought up, bills introduced, I hear rhetoric,” Borelli mentioned at a July press convention and after the stunning assassination try that left one particular person lifeless. “I look into what is being said, discussed and introduced, and I see that so many of these actions would have a detrimental impact on my family and constituents, and these things make me fundamentally mad, fundamentally angry.”
The staunch Republican additionally acquired cheers in 2023 for his $1 million allotment to outfit the brand new Huguenot Park Library with extra program areas, further computer systems, outside programming house and ADA-accessible loos.
Borelli’s resignation comes at a important time for NYC and Staten Island, as New Yorkers proceed to grapple with housing points, an financial fallout and controversial insurance policies surrounding transportation and crime.
A particular election shall be held to fill Borelli’s seat for the rest of 2025. The date of the election has not but been introduced.
New York News Metro reached out to Borelli for remark, and is awaiting a response.
