Inna Vernikov
NYC Council Member · Since 2022
What This Office Can Do
- Proposes and votes on city laws
- Approves or rejects the city budget
- Holds agencies accountable through public hearings
- Directs discretionary funds to local projects
Background
Inna Vernikov is a Ukrainian-born American lawyer and politician serving as the minority whip of the New York City Council, representing the 48th District. She is one of six Republicans on the council and flipped a seat that had been traditionally Democratic for over one hundred years. Since entering office, she has become a leading voice against antisemitism and focuses on the everyday needs of her district.
- Career
- Immigration and matrimonial law attorney
Policy Priorities
- Public Safety — Ran for office focusing on rising crime and has continued to prioritize public safety concerns in city government.
- Anti-Antisemitism — Became a leading voice against antisemitism, bringing stories of antisemitic assaults to the national and international stage and ensuring victims of antisemitic hate crimes face consequences.
- CUNY Accountability — Pushed to defund CUNY School of Law and exposed CUNY's antisemitism by holding an unprecedented hearing in the council.
- Migrant Crisis — Focused attention on the recent migrant crisis as a key issue in city government.
- Opposition to Mandates — Ran on opposing what she characterized as unreasonable mandates at local and national levels.
Issue Stances
Sourced from public statements, council votes, and news coverage via AI research. Verify with primary sources.
Issue Stances
Documented Positions
Sourced from public statements, votes, and news coverage. Only documented positions are listed.
Vernikov organized a march against antisemitism following an alleged assault of Jewish teenagers. She announced the withdrawal of $50,000 in Council funding from CUNY Law School after its faculty passed a BDS resolution. On October 13, 2023, she was arrested for bringing a gun to a pro-Palestinian rally at Brooklyn College.
Source →Legislative Record
Requiring that every bicycle with electric assist, electric scooter and other legal motorized vehicle be licensed and registered
Establishing a support fund for small businesses affected by roadway construction
Establishing ferry service at Canarsie Pier
A Local Law in relation to workforce stabilization payments for school paraprofessionals, and providing for the repeal thereof
A Local Law to amend the New York city charter and the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to eligibility for and access to special vehicle identification parking permits
Establishing exemptions for certain buildings from containerization requirements
Requiring the department of buildings to conduct final inspections of major solar energy projects
Requiring notification of community boards and elected officials before renewing an emergency shelter contract
Conduct & Ethics
Vernikov used her official government email to solicit business for $300 martial arts classes offered by Legion Self Defense, an organization she chaired — a potential violation of the city ethics law prohibiting use of public resources for personal financial gain.
Vernikov was arrested on charges of criminal possession of a firearm after bringing a gun to a pro-Palestinian rally on Brooklyn College's campus. Charges were later dropped by the Brooklyn District Attorney due to lack of proof the gun was operable.
Vernikov made a social media post referring to Muslim mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani as a 'terrorist-lover,' a statement that Jewish advocacy groups including Jews For Racial & Economic Justice cited as disqualifying when opposing her appointment to lead the Council's antisemitism task force.
Source →Data sourced from NYC Legistar, NYC Campaign Finance Board, NYC Conflicts of Interest Board, and curated public records. This page is a permanent record of Inna Vernikov's service in District 48.