Joann Ariola

{{Infobox officeholder

|name = Joann Ariola

|image = MTA Announces Opening of Fully Accessible Woodhaven Blvd JZ Station (54285552374) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Ariola in 2025

| office = Minority Leader of the New York City Council

| term_start = February 7, 2025

| term_end =

| predecessor = David Carr

| successor =

|office1 = Member of the New York City Council
from the 32nd district

|term_start1 = January 1, 2022

|term_end1 =

|predecessor1 = Eric Ulrich

|successor1 =

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1958|6|14}}

|birth_place = New York City, New York, U.S.

|death_date =

|death_place =

|party = Republican

|education = Adelphi Business School

}}

Joann Ariola-Shanks (born June 14, 1958) is a councilwoman of the New York City Council, representing District 32 which includes Glendale, Woodhaven, Ozone Park, Howard Beach, Broad Channel, and the western half of the Rockaway Peninsula. She previously served as the chairwoman of the Queens Republican Party.{{fact|date=January 2023}}

Early life

Ariola is a lifelong resident of the 32nd Council District. Born on June 14, 1958, Joann is the eldest child of a prominent Ozone Park family. During her childhood, the family - including her younger sister and brother - relocated to a new home in Howard Beach. She attended P.S. 63 (Old South), P.S. 207 (Rockwood Park), Our Lady of Grace Catholic School, Stella Maris High School on the Rockaway Peninsula and Adelphi Business School.{{fact|date=January 2023}}

Political career

Ariola entered into the political arena in 1993 as chief of staff for New York City Councilmember Alfonso C. Stabile. In 1996, Ariola unsuccessfully ran against Audrey Pheffer for a seat in the New York State Assembly.

Later, Ariola served as communications director for Councilmember Noach Dear, before unsuccessfully running against Joseph Addabbo Jr. in 2001 for the City Council seat left vacant by Stabile.

Following the unsuccessful 2001 race, Ariola worked under the Bloomberg administration as an Assistant Commissioner with the Community Assistance Unit until 2006, when she entered into the private sector as Director of Intergovernmental Relations for Medisys.

=2020 Borough President race=

In 2020, Ariola ran for Queens Borough President against Donovan Richards.

=2021 City Council race=

Ariola was elected to the NYC City Council in 2021 over Democrat Felicia Singh. Despite many predicting a close race,{{cite news|last=Kilgannon|first=Corey |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/07/nyregion/queens-republicans-democrats.html |newspaper=New York Times |title=And Then There was One: GOP Defends its Last Seat in Queens |date=2021-05-17 |access-date=2022-01-16}} she handily defeated Singh 67%-32%.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nyccfb.info/nyc-votes/vgwelcome/general-election-2020/meet-the-candidates/meet-the-candidates/queens-borough-president/joann-ariola/?languageType=English|title = Joann Ariola | New York City Campaign Finance Board}}{{cite news|last=Sommerfeldt|first=Chris |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/nyc-elections-2021/ny-nyc-council-district-32-race-joann-ariola-felicia-singh-20211103-cus5w752fvcdplaoxmqzhv5lym-story.html |newspaper=New York Daily News |title=Queens GOP Chair Joann Ariola defeats Democratic Challenger in Key NYC Council Race |date=2021-11-02 |access-date=2022-01-16}}

Election history

{{Election box open primary begin no change| title= 2021 New York City Council election, District 32 Republican primary & general election{{Cite web|url=https://vote.nyc/sites/default/files/pdf/election_results/2021/20210622Primary%20Election/rcv/REP%20Council%20Member%2032nd%20Council%20District.pdf|title=2021 Primary Official Ranked Choice Rounds, REP Council Member 32nd Council District|publisher=New York City Board of Elections|date=July 20, 2021| access-date=July 21, 2021}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Joann Ariola

| votes = 2,378

| percentage = 82.0

| change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Steve Sirgiovanni

| votes = 494

| percentage = 17.0