Diana Ayala

Diana Ayala (born September 24, 1973) is an American politician, who served as a member and the deputy speaker of the New York City Council since until 2025. Ayala represented the 8th district, succeeding former Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito in 2017. The district includes Concourse, East Harlem, Highbridge, Longwood, Mott Haven, Port Morris, and Randall's Island. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

Early life and education Born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, she and her family moved to New York City when she was a child. They lived in public housing after living in shelters. She received an associate degree in Human Services from Bronx Community College, and a bachelor's degree in Sociology from Lehman College in 2000.

Career Ayala worked as a Senior Center Director in East Harlem for seven years. She then served as Constituent Services Director and Deputy Chief of Staff for her predecessor, Melissa Mark-Viverito.

New York City Council Ayala ran against three other candidates in the Democratic primary for the open 8th city council district. Ayala had the support of Melissa Mark-Viverito, the term-limited incumbent and Speaker. Ayala's main primary opponent was Robert J. Rodriguez, an assemblyman. Ayala won the primary narrowly with 43.5% of the vote (4,012 votes) to Rodriguez's 42.23% (3,895 votes). In the general election, Ayala won 91.07% of the vote (13,617 votes), while her Republican opponent, Daby Benjaminé Carreras, won 5.26% (787 votes) and her Conservative opponent, Linda Ortiz, won 3.30% of the vote (494 votes).

Ayala criticized fellow New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov for not apologizing for bringing a gun to a Pro-Palestine rally at Brooklyn College a few days after the October 7, 2023 attacks against Israeli citizens by members of Hamas in Israel. Vernikov was arrested, but no charges were filed because the gun was missing a part that made it unfunctional. Ayala motioned to end the investigation from proceeding for another year in the Rules Committee chaired by Sandra Ung.

In February 2026, Ayala announced that she has challenged Assemblyman Eddie Gibbs and is running to replace him in the New York State Assembly.

Personal life Ayala and her long-time partner live in East Harlem. She has four children and three grandchildren.