Melissa Mark-Viverito Elected Speaker Of NYC Council

Mark-Viverito Elected Council Speaker
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 21: New York Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito speaks at the unveiling of the PETA Vegetarian Icon Postage sheet on November 21, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 21: New York Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito speaks at the unveiling of the PETA Vegetarian Icon Postage sheet on November 21, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)

Melissa Mark-Viverito of East Harlem was elected the next speaker of the New York City Council Wednesday, marking the first time a Latina has held the position.

Her victory follows the concession of rival Dan Garodnick, who announced he was exiting the race earlier today, consequently handing the election over to Mark-Viverito.

"Today that process comes to a conclusion, and in the spirit of strengthening the Council, which animated my candidacy from the start, I now formally concede to the next Speaker of the City Council — my colleague Melissa Mark-Viverito,” Garodnick said in a statement.

Throughout her bid, Mark-Viverito has had the full support of Mayor Bill de Blasio, who lobbied heavily for her win.

She was also the first council member to back de Blasio's run for mayor earlier this year.

After The Daily News revealed Mark-Viverito had failed to disclose years of rental income she made on a building in Harlem, de Blasio defended her bid.

"She’s a person of tremendous integrity. I’m sure she will catch up on that disclosure and make it right," he said.

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