Joe Lhota

Joe Lhota was born in the Bronx, New York, the son of Jackie and Joseph "Joe" Lhota, a New York City police officer.{{cite web|url=http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/General+News/185030/Joe+Lhota+Winner+of+NYC+Republican+Mayoral+Primary+UPDATED+11:30PM.html |title=The Yeshiva World Joe Lhota Winner of NYC Republican Mayoral Primary|publisher=Theyeshivaworld.com |date=September 10, 2013 |access-date=September 21, 2013}} Lhota was raised Catholic, and self-identifies as a Christian.{{cite web|last=Kornbluh|first=Jacob|author-link=Jacob Kornbluh|url=http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/exclusive-joe-yoely-lhota-on-his-relationship-with-the-jews/2013/05/28|title=Exclusive: Joe 'Yoely' Lhota on his Relationship With the Jews|publisher=The Jewish Press|date=May 28, 2013|access-date=September 21, 2013}} The family later moved to Lindenhurst.{{cn|date=May 2023}} He was the first member of his family to attend college, graduating with honors from Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business with a degree in business administration in 1976. He received an M.B.A. degree from Harvard Business School in 1980.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehoya.com/alumnus-to-run-for-nyc-mayor/|title=Alumnus to Run for NYC Mayor|work=The Hoya|first=Meghan|last=Patzer|date= February 5, 2013|access-date=May 8, 2014}}

Upon graduating from Georgetown University, Lhota joined Arthur Andersen & Co. in Washington, D.C. and specialized in health care finance. He worked there for two years before entering the Harvard Business School.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/30/nyregion/new-budget-director-named-giuliani-s-third-in-two-years.html|title=New Budget Director Named, Giuliani's Third in Two Years|date=November 30, 1995|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 13, 2017}} Following Harvard, Lhota returned to New York City and began a fourteen-year career as an investment banker at First Boston and Paine Webber. He specialized in public finance, serving state and local governments throughout the United States.

In 2002, Lhota became executive vice president of Cablevision, as well as president of Lightpath, a fiber-based telecommunications company that offered telephone and high speed data services to businesses throughout the New York area. In 2010, he joined The Madison Square Garden Company as executive vice president as a member of the senior management team and chief administrative officer.{{cite web |url=http://investor.msg.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=440910 |title=Madison Square Garden Strengthens Senior Management Team (NASDAQ:MSG) |publisher=Investor.msg.com |access-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923003936/http://investor.msg.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=440910 |archive-date=September 23, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

File:Joseph Lhota NYLS.JPG

In early 2014, after his mayoral run, Lhota was appointed as senior vice president, vice dean, and chief of staff at NYU Langone Medical Center, in charge of "government outreach", emergency preparedness, and business planning.{{cite news|work=Wall Street Journal Metropolis blog|title=NYU Langone Hires Lhota|last1=Dawsey|first1=Josh|last2=Fleisher|first2=Lisa|date=January 3, 2014}}{{cite news|work=Capital New York|title=Lhota Replaces Shorris at NYU Langone|last=Nahmias|first=Laura|date=January 3, 2014}}

From 2002 to 2015, Lhota served as a member of the board of directors of First Aviation Services, Inc. In 2015, FAVS became a private company.{{cite web|url=http://aviationweek.com/awin/joseph-j-lhota-join-first-aviation-services-board-directors|title=Joseph J. Lhota To Join First Aviation Services Board Of Directors|access-date=February 13, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://yahoo.brand.edgar-online.com/displayfilinginfo.aspx?FilingID=5219094-14248-34439&type=sect&TabIndex=2&companyid=4963&ppu=%252fdefault.aspx%253fcik%253d1025743|title=EDGAR Pro|access-date=February 13, 2017}} In 2014, Lhota became a board member of Cablevision Systems Corporation and was chairman of its audit committee until the company was sold in June 2016 to Altice USA.{{Cite web|url=https://www.macroaxis.com/invest/manager/CVC--Joseph-Lhota|title=Joseph Lhota - Director of Cablevision Systems Corp | CVC|website=Macroaxis}}{{cite web|url=http://www.secinfo.com/dr6tj.n1g.htm|title=SEC Info - Cablevision Systems Corp/NY, et al. - '8-K' for 5/22/14|access-date=February 13, 2017}}

In 2016, Lhota became an independent member of the board of directors and chairman of the audit committee of MSG Networks.{{cite web|url=http://investor.msgnetworks.com/directors.cfm|title=Board of Directors - MSG Networks Corporate|access-date=February 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224204200/http://investor.msgnetworks.com/directors.cfm|archive-date=December 24, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://insiders.morningstar.com/insiders/trading/executive-profile.action?PersonId=PS00000Y9U&flag=Director&insider=Joseph_Lhota&t=0P0000N0BZ®ion=usa&culture=en-CA&ops=clear&cur=USD|title=Joseph J. Lhota of MSG Networks Inc Class A Board of Directors|access-date=February 13, 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202025340/http://insiders.morningstar.com/insiders/trading/executive-profile.action?PersonId=PS00000Y9U&flag=Director&insider=Joseph_Lhota&t=0P0000N0BZ®ion=usa&culture=en-CA&ops=clear&cur=USD|url-status=dead}}

In 1994, Lhota joined the administration of Mayor Rudy Giuliani, where he held several positions over Giuliani's two terms. He first served as chief of staff to the deputy mayor for finance and economic development{{cite news|last1=Hicks|first1=Jonathan P.|title=Head of Transit Authority Opposes Merger for Police|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/08/nyregion/head-of-transit-authority-opposes-merger-for-police.html|access-date=August 23, 2016|work=New York Times|date=March 8, 1994}} and that year was quickly promoted to New York City finance commissioner.{{cite news|title=New York Suspends Its Financial Adviser|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/01/nyregion/new-york-suspends-its-financial-adviser.html|access-date=August 23, 2016|work=New York Times|date=July 1, 1995}} In 1995, he was selected as director of the New York City Mayor's Office of Management and Budget.{{cite news|last1=Meyers|first1=Steven Lee|title=New Budget Director Named, Giuliani's Third in Two Years|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/30/nyregion/new-budget-director-named-giuliani-s-third-in-two-years.html|access-date=August 23, 2016|work=New York Times|date=November 30, 1995}} In 1998, Giuliani appointed Lhota to deputy mayor for operations.{{cite news|last1=Onishi|first1=Norimitsu|title=Mayor Promotes Budget Director To Deputy Mayor for Operations|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/03/nyregion/mayor-promotes-budget-director-to-deputy-mayor-for-operations.html|access-date=August 23, 2016|work=New York Times|date=July 3, 1998}} As the head of the mayor's rat abatement task force, he was humorously known as "the Rat Czar".{{cite news|last1=Lueck|first1=Thomas J.|title=The War on Vermin Escalates Into a Duel of Rodent Warriors|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/14/nyregion/the-war-on-vermin-escalates-into-a-duel-of-rodent-warriors.html|access-date=June 24, 2015|work=The New York Times|date=September 14, 2000}}

Lhota served as Mayor Giuliani's liaison to the White House, United States Congress, governor of New York, New York State Legislature and New York City Council. Additionally, he was responsible for oversight of the city's relationships with the public employee unions and development of collective bargaining agreement strategies.

On October 20, 2011, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo nominated Lhota to serve as chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority,{{cite web |url=http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/10202011TransportationAppointments |title=Governor Cuomo Announces MTA and Transportation Appointments | Governor Andrew M. Cuomo |publisher=Governor.ny.gov |date=October 20, 2011 |access-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-date=September 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923003648/http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/10202011TransportationAppointments |url-status=dead }} the largest mass transit provider in the United States (servicing 8.5 million customers daily). While awaiting confirmation by the New York State Senate, Lhota began serving as interim CEO.{{cite web|url=http://www.mta.info/news/stories/?story=450 |title=MTA News | MTA |publisher=Mta.info |access-date=September 21, 2013}} He was unanimously confirmed on January 9, 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/joe-lhota-approved-as-new-mta-chairman-1.3440000 |title=Joe Lhota Approved as New MTA Chairman |publisher=amny.com |date=July 1, 2013 |access-date=September 21, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923043445/http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/joe-lhota-approved-as-new-mta-chairman-1.3440000 |archive-date=September 23, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}

File:JoeLhotaSand.jpg]]

File:JoeLhotaSand2.jpg with Governor Cuomo and federal, state and city officials.]]

Lhota was responsible for New York City Transit’s Fastrack program, which saw more than $16 million in productivity gains in 2012, by concentrating and targeting subway station maintenance efforts. In July 2012, Lhota announced a $30 million service enhancement package that restored transportation services that the MTA had previously eliminated in 2010, and added new transit services in underserved areas, including Williamsburg, the South Bronx and Brooklyn Navy Yard—all New York City neighborhoods that had seen significant residential and commercial development since 2005. Lhota headed efforts to make information about the MTA and its services more accessible to its customers through its website and apps. He granted pay raises to managers at the MTA.{{cite news|title=Ex-MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota Grants Retroactive Payraises and Payouts Worth $253,000 to 3 Top Agency Presidents and Former Exec|first=Pete|last=Donohue|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ex-mta-chairman-joseph-lhota-253-000-senior-mta-execs-article-1.1256021|newspaper=Daily News|location=New York|date=February 5, 2013|access-date=August 23, 2013}}

When Hurricane Sandy devastated much of the New York metropolitan area in October 2012, Lhota shut down the MTA in advance of the storm and moved the system's trains to high ground to avoid damage from the storm surge. His other notable hurricane recovery measure was the rapid deployment of a free Rockaway Park Shuttle to service the worst damaged line in Rockaway, Queens.{{cite news| url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/19/free-subway-shuttle-starting-for-part-of-rockaway-peninsula/?_r=0 | work=The New York Times | first=Matt | last=Flegenheimer | title=Free Subway Shuttle Starting for Part of Rockaway Peninsula | date=November 19, 2012}}

Lhota also directed the MTA to provide regular details and updates to the public on the recovery efforts via social media and local news channels.

File:JoeLhota5.jpg rally across the Brooklyn Bridge along with parents from low income neighborhoods in 2013]]

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{{Main article|2013 New York City mayoral election}}

Lhota resigned as head of the MTA on December 31, 2012, to explore running for mayor of New York City.{{cite news|title=Joe Lhota, In Possible Push in Mayoral Race, to Resign as MTA Chairman|first1=Kenneth|last1=Lovett|first2=Pete|last2=Donohue|first3=Celeste|last3=Katz|first4=Ginger Adams|last4=Otis|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/joe-lhota-resign-mta-chairman-article-1.1223167|newspaper=Daily News|location=New York|date=December 18, 2012|access-date=August 23, 2013}} On January 17, 2013, he filed paperwork with the New York City Board of Elections and the New York State Board of Elections to formally launch his mayoral campaign.{{cite web|last=Peltz |first=Jennifer |title=Ex-MTA Chief Lhota Files Papers for Mayoral Run |url=http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/politics&id=8955018 |access-date=February 7, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201090023/http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/politics&id=8955018 |archive-date=February 1, 2013 }}

In August 2013, after an MTA subway line was temporarily stopped to rescue two kittens on the tracks in Brooklyn, Lhota's campaign spokesperson told media outlets that while it was the MTA's decision, he would not have shut down the lines.{{Cite web |last=Rudansky • • |first=Andrew |date=2013-08-29 |title=Kittens Run onto Subway Tracks in Brooklyn, Trains Shut Down |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/kittens-subway-tracks-brooklyn-mta-delays-shut-down/1984459/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=NBC New York |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last1=Lestch |first1=Corinne |last2=Fermino |first2=Jennifer |last3=Moore |first3=Tina |date=2013-08-30 |title=I wouldn't have stopped subway service for lost kittens Arthur and August: mayoral hopeful Joe Lhota |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2013/08/30/i-wouldnt-have-stopped-subway-service-for-lost-kittens-arthur-and-august-mayoral-hopeful-joe-lhota/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=New York Daily News |language=en-US}} The New York Daily News then featured him on their front page under the headline: "Die, Kitties, Die,"{{Cite web |date=2013-09-02 |title=Morning Read: 'Die Kitties Die!' |url=https://observer.com/2013/09/morning-read-die-kitties-die/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=Observer |language=en-US}} while Republican primary opponent John Catsimatidis criticized him in a New York Post article titled "Cats loves cats... and Lhota doesn't."{{Cite web |last=DeFalco |first=Beth |date=2013-09-02 |title='Cats' loves cats… and Lhota doesn't |url=https://nypost.com/2013/09/02/cats-loves-cats-and-lhota-doesnt/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |language=en-US}} Some candidates in the Democratic primary said they would have stopped the trains, with Anthony Weiner's spokesperson saying "If Anthony is elected mayor, he will not only stop trains for kittens, he will personally crawl over the third rail to do it."{{Cite web |last=Amira |first=Dan |date=2013-08-30 |title=Mayoral Candidates Weigh In on the Great 'Kittens or Trains?' Debate [Updated] |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2013/08/kitten-train-candidates-weiner-lhota.html |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=Intelligencer |language=en}}

Lhota won the endorsements of all three major daily New York City newspapers for the Republican primary, with The New York Times stating, "few people know better than Mr. Lhota how city government works."{{cite news|title=For New York Mayor|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/25/opinion/sunday/two-endorsements.html?pagewanted=all|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 24, 2013}} He won the primary on September 10, 2013, with 52.5% of the vote, defeating John Catsimatidis, who garnered 40.7%, and George T. McDonald, who captured 6.8%.{{cite news|last=Orden|first=Erica|title=Lhota Wins Republican Primary for Mayor|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324094704579067420739092730|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=September 10, 2013}}

In the general election campaign, Lhota received the endorsements of Crain's New York Business,{{cite news|title=Joe Lhota for Mayor - Boiling Down The Two Mayoral Candidates to Their Basic Experience and Skill Makes Our Choice Clear|url=http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20131018/OPINION/131019886|newspaper=Crain's New York Business|date=October 18, 2013}} AM New York,{{cite web|url=http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/editorial-elect-joe-lhota-mayor-of-new-york-1.6316197|title=New York City News: Latest Headlines, Videos & Pictures|access-date=February 13, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029191526/http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/editorial-elect-joe-lhota-mayor-of-new-york-1.6316197|archive-date=October 29, 2013|df=mdy-all}} Newsday,{{cite news|title=Elect Joe Lhota mayor of New York|url=http://www.newsday.com/opinion/editorial-elect-joe-lhota-mayor-of-new-york-1.6330635|newspaper=Newsday|date=October 28, 2013}} and The Jewish Voice.{{cite news|author=JV Staff|title=Vote for the Most Qualified Candidates on November 5! The Jewish Voice Endorses The Following|url=http://jewishvoiceny.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5689:vote-for-the-most-qualified-candidates-on-november-5-the-jewish-voice-endorses-the-following&catid=112:new-york&Itemid=295|newspaper=Jewish Voice|location=New York, N.Y.|date=October 31, 2013|access-date=November 2, 2013|archive-date=November 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105070150/http://jewishvoiceny.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5689:vote-for-the-most-qualified-candidates-on-november-5-the-jewish-voice-endorses-the-following&catid=112:new-york&Itemid=295|url-status=dead}}

Lhota's economic plan focused on job creation primarily through municipal tax cuts. He said he wanted to lower the General Corporation Tax, phase out the Commercial Rent Tax, reform the Unincorporated Business Tax, and lower the hotel tax.{{cite news| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/election/republican-mayoral-candidate-joe-lhota-vows-cut-taxes-article-1.1470284 | location=New York | work=Daily News | title=Republican Mayoral Candidate Joe Lhota Vows to Cut Taxes on Business, Properties, and Hotel Stays}}

Lhota also proposed a tax incentive program to allow private sector developers to build mixed-use housing to incorporate affordable units.{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=Kristen A.|url=http://live.nydailynews.com/Event/Chat_with_NYC_mayoral_candidate_Joe_Lhota?Page=0|location=New York|work=Daily News|title=Chat With NYC Mayoral Candidate Joe Lhota|date=July 25, 2013}} He planned to improve education in New York City by doubling the number of public charter schools, particularly in low-income neighborhoods. He participated in a School Choice Rally organized by Success Academy Charter Schools to protest Democratic candidate Bill de Blasio's proposed rent requirement for the city's charter schools that were operating in public school buildings and ban on further co-location in public school buildings.{{cite web |url=http://www.ny1.com/content/news/education/190109/charter-school-supporters-march-across-brooklyn-bridge |title=Charter School Supporters March Across Brooklyn Bridge - NY1 |website=www.ny1.com |access-date=6 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010014528/http://www.ny1.com/content/news/education/190109/charter-school-supporters-march-across-brooklyn-bridge |archive-date=10 October 2013 |url-status=dead}} He also proposed universal pre-kindergarten without raising taxes.{{citation needed |date=November 2013}}

Lhota lost the general election to de Blasio,{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/1.1507436 |title=Bill de Blasio Elected Mayor of New York City |last1=Fermino |first1=Jennifer |last2=Karni |first2=Annie |last3=Siemaszko |first3=Corky |work=New York Daily News |date=November 5, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203145808/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-yorkers-head-polls-pick-new-mayor-article-1.1507436 | archive-date=February 3, 2014 | url-status=dead }} garnering 249,121 votes, or 24.3% of the voter turnout.{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/projects/elections/2013/general/nyc-mayor/map.html | work=The New York Times | title=New York City Mayor - 2013 Election Results}}

In January 2017, Governor Cuomo appointed Lhota to the committee charged with conducting a nationwide search for a new chair and chief executive officer of the MTA.{{cite web|url=http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/01/hakim_named_interim_mta_exec_d.html|title=Veronique Hakim named interim MTA executive director|date=January 31, 2017|access-date=February 13, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170201/financial-district/tom-prendergast-mta-subway-chairman|title=Nationwide Search For New Head of MTA Starts as Chairman Retires|access-date=February 13, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204004619/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170201/financial-district/tom-prendergast-mta-subway-chairman|archive-date=February 4, 2017|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mta.info/news/2017/01/30/governor-cuomo-announces-veronique-hakim-will-serve-interim-executive-director-mta|title=MTA - news - Governor Cuomo Announces Veronique Hakim Will Serve as Interim Executive Director of the MTA|access-date=February 13, 2017}} In June 2017, Lhota was nominated by Cuomo to return to Chairman of the MTA. Lhota remained at NYU Langone, as he would not be the day-to-day executive of the MTA; that role was instead filled by Veronique Hakim.

Lhota's return to the MTA occurred in the middle of the subway's transit crisis. In summer 2017, the subway system was officially put in a state of emergency after a series of derailments,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/27/nyregion/subway-train-derails-in-manhattan.html|title=Subway Derailment in Manhattan Injures Dozens|last1=Santora|first1=Marc|date=June 27, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 25, 2017|last2=Fitzsimmons|first2=Emma G.|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/21/nyregion/subway-derailment-brooklyn.html|title=Subway Train Derails in Brooklyn, Disrupting Morning Commute|last=Fitzsimmons|first=Emma G.|date=July 21, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 26, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} track fires,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/17/nyregion/subway-track-fire-sends-9-to-hospital-and-snarls-morning-commute.html|title=Subway Track Fire Sends 9 to Hospital and Snarls Morning Commute|last=Fitzsimmons|first=Emma G.|date=July 17, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 26, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news|url=http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/07/track-fire-disrupts-subway-service.html|title=Track Fire Is the Latest Subway Disaster|last=Kirby|first=Jen|date=July 17, 2017|work=Daily Intelligencer|access-date=July 26, 2017|language=en}} and overcrowding incidents.{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-subway-a-train-delay-trash-fire-2017-7|title=These photos sum up just how bad New York's commuter nightmare has gotten|last=Muoio|first=Danielle|date=July 16, 2017|work=Business Insider|access-date=July 26, 2017|language=en}} Cuomo ordered Lhota to come up with a reorganization plan for the subway within 30 days.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/29/nyregion/cuomo-declares-a-state-of-emergency-for-the-subway.html|title=Cuomo Declares a State of Emergency for New York City Subways|last=Fitzsimmons|first=Emma G.|date=June 29, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 25, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} Lhota's plan involved removing seats from subway cars, consolidating the subway's scattered operations, managing escalators and elevators, and repairing damaged and critically important signals and tracks.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/25/nyregion/subway-rescue-plan-mta.html|title=Rescue Plan to Improve Subways Includes Removing Seats|last=Fitzsimmons|first=Emma G.|date=July 25, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 25, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-headquarters/mta-chairman-joseph-lhota-unveils-new-york-city-subway-action-plan|title=MTA {{!}} Press Release {{!}} MTA Headquarters {{!}} MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota Unveils New York City Subway Action Plan|website=www.mta.info|access-date=July 25, 2017|archive-date=April 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424164852/https://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-headquarters/mta-chairman-joseph-lhota-unveils-new-york-city-subway-action-plan|url-status=dead}}

• See also: {{Cite news|url=http://www.mtamovingforward.com/|title=NYC Subway Action Plan|access-date=July 25, 2017|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122212749/http://www.mtamovingforward.com/|url-status=dead}} The MTA had been criticized for implementing relatively cosmetic improvements, rather than performing needed repairs and upgrades to signals, power, tracks, station accessibility, and infrastructure. In response, Lhota said that the MTA was improving passenger experience not only on the trains, but also in the stations.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/18/nyregion/new-york-subway-system-failure-delays.html|title=How Politics and Bad Decisions Starved New York's Subways|last1=Rosenthal|first1=Brian M.|date=2017-11-18|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-03-14|last2=Fitzsimmons|first2=Emma G.|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|last3=LaForgia|first3=Michael}}

On November 9, 2018, Lhota resigned his position as chairman of the MTA, effective immediately, without having taken his $1-a-year salary.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Joe-Lhota-Resigns-As-MTA-Chairman-Effective-Immediately-500138801.html|title=MTA Chairman Joe Lhota Resigns, Effective Immediately|last=Siff|first=Andrew|date=November 9, 2018|work=NBC New York|access-date=November 9, 2018|language=en}}{{cite web | title=MTA chief Joseph Lhota resigns | website=Newsday | date=November 9, 2018 | url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/transportation/joe-lhota-mta-resign-1.23165545 | access-date=November 10, 2018}}{{cite web | last=Vielkind | first=Jimmy | title=New York's MTA Chairman Joe Lhota Resigns | website=WSJ | date=November 9, 2018 | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-yorks-mta-chairman-joe-lhota-resigns-1541775600 | access-date=November 10, 2018}} A Wall Street Journal article in October 2018 had speculated that Lhota was considering retiring because of potential conflicts of interest with his other roles as NYU Langone Health chief of staff, and as a lobbyist, though Lhota repudiated these claims.{{cite web | last1=Berger | first1=Paul | last2=Vielkind | first2=Jimmy | title=MTA's Lhota Says He Isn't Leaving, Despite Speculation to the Contrary | website=WSJ | date=October 24, 2018 | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/mtas-lhota-says-he-isnt-leaving-despite-speculation-to-the-contrary-1540412140 | access-date=November 10, 2018}} In July 2019, it was revealed that Lhota did resign in a letter to Cuomo due to a state ethics committee decision that he had too strong a potential conflict of interest.{{Cite web|url=https://gothamist.com/2019/07/31/cuomo_mta_lhota.php|title=Cuomo And His MTA Lied About The Real Reason For MTA Chair's Resignation|date=July 31, 2019|website=Gothamist|access-date=August 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801132633/https://gothamist.com/2019/07/31/cuomo_mta_lhota.php|archive-date=August 1, 2019|url-status=dead}}

Lhota is married to Tamra Roberts Lhota. The couple met while she was working in Washington, D.C.{{cite web |url=http://www.cityandstateny.com/the-return-of-the-first-lady/ |title=» the Return of the First Lady | City & State |access-date=2013-10-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025013738/http://www.cityandstateny.com/the-return-of-the-first-lady/ |archive-date=October 25, 2013 |df=mdy-all }} They have one child.{{cite news|title=Outsize Personality Joins, and Jostles, Mayor's Race|first1=Michael|last1=Barbaro|first2=Matt|last2=Flegenheimer|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/18/nyregion/joseph-lhota-stands-out-in-new-yorks-mayoral-race.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 17, 2013|access-date=August 23, 2013}}

While he was raised Catholic and identifies as Christian, Lhota's maternal grandmother was Jewish. When asked why he didn't capitalize on his grandmother’s religious heritage to garner the city's Jewish voters, he responded, "I think that would be patronizing."{{cite news|last=Hartmann|first=Margaret|title=18 Fun and Utterly Fascinating Facts About Joe Lhota|url=http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/09/18-fun-and-fascinating-facts-about-joe-lhota.html|magazine=New York Magazine|date=September 23, 2013|access-date=August 23, 2016}}

Lhota defended his support for pro-choice and same-sex marriage as not only being in sync with New York City's socially liberal outlook but consistent with Jeffersonian republicanism or democracy and its intellectual premise in classical liberalism. Lhota called for expulsion of Donald Trump from the Republican Party after Trump's remarks about banning Muslims from entering the United States.{{cite news |last1=Rubinstein |first1=Dana, and Azi Paybarah |title=N.Y.C. Was Once a Bastion of G.O.P. Moderates. Then Trump Came Along. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/17/nyregion/giuliani-republican-party-nyc.html |access-date=18 October 2020 |work=New York Times |date=17 October 2020}} He later left the party in protest of Trump's policies. Lhota endorsed Joe Biden in the 2020 United States presidential election.{{cite news |last1=Goldschlag |first1=William, and Dan Janison |title=Democratic convention Night 2 is a 'Biden cares' package |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/jill-biden-speech-democratic-convention-day-2-dnc-biden-harris-aoc-bill-clinton-carter-mccain-michelle-obama-senate-russia-trump-usps-1.48265380 |access-date=18 October 2020 |work=Newsday |date=19 August 2020}}

Lhota revealed in 2021 that he was now a registered Democrat.{{cite news|url=https://www.gothamgazette.com/city/10581-max-politics-podcast-joe-lhota-democrat-mayor-election|title=Max Politics Podcast: Joe Lhota on Becoming a Democrat and the Importance of the Mayoral Election|newspaper=Gotham Gazette|date=June 17, 2021|accessdate=June 18, 2021}} He endorsed Kathryn Garcia for first preference in the 2021 New York City Democratic mayoral primary, with Eric Adams and Andrew Yang as his second and third picks, respectively.{{cite news|url=https://www.curbed.com/2021/06/nyc-ranked-choice-voting-strategies.html|title=A Ranked Choice Cheat Sheet|newspaper=Curbed|date=June 8, 2021|accessdate=June 18, 2021}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{commons category|Joe Lhota}}

• [http://www.joelhotaformayor.com Joe Lhota campaign website]
• [http://nyulangone.org/our-story/our-leadership/executive-leadership/joseph-lhota NYU Langone Medical Center Biography]
• [https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/city-hall/story/2018/02/06/can-joe-lhota-save-the-subway-239256 Can Joe Lhota Save the Subway?]

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