Nicole Malliotakis (/ˌmæliəˈtɔːkɪs/; born November 11, 1980) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for New York's 11th congressional district. A member of the Republican Party, she represents part of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and East Shore, Staten Island in the New York State Assembly. She is the only Republican woman elected in New York City and, as the daughter of Greek and Cuban immigrants, the first Hispanic American to win elected office in Staten Island.[1] Malliotakis is one of the first two Greek-American women elected to office in New York State.[2][3]
Nicole Malliotakis | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 11th district | |
Assumed office January 3, 2021 | |
Preceded by | Max Rose |
Member of the New York State Assembly | |
In office January 1, 2011 – December 31, 2020 | |
Preceded by | Janele Hyer-Spencer |
Succeeded by | Michael Tannousis |
Constituency | 60th district (2011–2012) 64th district (2013–2020) |
Personal details | |
Born | New York City, New York, U.S. | November 11, 1980
Political party | Republican |
Education | Seton Hall University (BA) Wagner College (MBA) |
Website | House Website Campaign Website |
She was the Republican nominee in New York City's 2017 mayoral election against incumbent Mayor Bill de Blasio.[4]
Early life and education
Malliotakis was born on November 11, 1980, in New York City.[5][6] Malliotakis grew up in Great Kills, Staten Island,[7] the daughter of immigrant parents; her father is from Greece and her mother is from Cuba. She was raised in the Greek Orthodox faith.[8]
She attended New Dorp High School on Staten Island, and during her senior year she was elected class president by her peers.[9] Malliotakis received a B.A. in communications from Seton Hall University and a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) from Wagner College.[10]
Career
Malliotakis worked as a community liaison for both former State Senator John Marchi (2003–2004) and former Governor George Pataki (2004–2006). Prior to her election, Malliotakis also worked on state energy policy as the public affairs manager for the Consolidated Edison Company of New York.[10]
In November 2015, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida named Malliotakis as the New York State chair of his 2016 presidential campaign.[11]
New York State Assembly
In 2010, Malliotakis won the election to represent the 60th District in the New York State Assembly. She defeated two-term Democratic incumbent Janele Hyer-Spencer by a margin of 10 percentage points.[12]
Upon being elected to the Assembly, Malliotakis became the first Greek-American woman elected to office in New York State, the first Cuban-American woman elected to office in New York State,[13] and the first person of Hispanic descent elected from Staten Island.[10] As of January 2018, she was one of only two Republicans from the City of New York currently serving in the State Assembly, along with Michael Reilly. Malliotakis is Brooklyn's only Republican lawmaker.[14]
In October 2011, she submitted an amicus curiae brief in support of an American Automobile Association lawsuit against the Port Authority in federal court, arguing that recent toll increases were illegal.[15] She successfully brought an Article 78 proceeding in New York State Supreme Court to get the Port Authority to disclose the results of an economic impact study regarding the effect the toll increases had had on business at New York Container Terminal.[16]
Malliotakis was re-elected in 2012 with 61% of the vote and again in 2014 with 73% of the vote in both Brooklyn and Staten Island.
In 2013, Malliotakis was recognized as a rising star.[17] After Rep. Michael Grimm resigned at the end of 2014, she was mentioned as a top contender for his seat before deciding against a run.[18]
In 2015, Malliotakis voted against the passage of a bill in the New York State Assembly that would have required certain parents to ensure the immunization of their children against meningococcal disease.[19]
Malliotakis has made elder rights a hallmark of her tenure and has successfully fought to keep a senior center in Staten Island from being closed.[20]
Malliotakis held a series of forums with regard to the MTA Payroll Mobility Tax and its alleged negative impact on small businesses, non-profit organizations, and private schools.[21] The New York state legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo subsequently enacted significant repeals.[22]
She has fought for relief from the September 2011 toll increase on Port Authority bridges,[23] calling for divestment of costly non-essential real estate holdings and highlighting mismanaged contributions to community organizations.[24]
During her first year in the Assembly, Malliotakis received numerous awards and recognition, including being named a 'rising star' by Capitol News, Home Reporter News,[25] the Hispanic Coalition of New York,[26] and the Greek America Foundation.[27] She has also been named a 'top ranking pro jobs supporter' by The Business Council of New York State.[28]
2017 New York City mayoral election
On April 25, 2017, she filed as a candidate for Mayor of New York City in the 2017 mayoral election under the Republican Party.[29][30] She went on to win the Republican nomination unopposed after businessman Paul Massey dropped out in June over money concerns.[31] On November 7, 2017, Malliotakis lost the mayoral election to Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio, 66–28%.[32] Although Malliotakis did not win the election, she garnered 70% of the vote in her home borough of Staten Island.
U.S. House of Representatives
In 2020, Malliotakis ran as the Republican nominee for New York's 11th congressional district against incumbent Democrat Max Rose.[33] Her state assembly district includes much of the eastern portion of the congressional district.
The race was reckoned as the only potentially competitive House race in New York City. The 11th has long been the most conservative district of the 12 that divide New York City; it is the only one with a Cook Partisan Voting Index less than D+20, and since the 1990s it has been the only New York City-based district where Republicans usually do well. The GOP had held the seat for all but one term since 1980 before Rose won the seat in an upset in the 2018 midterm elections. The two engaged in an incredibly contentious race, with many attack ads on both sides.
Malliotakis endorsed incumbent Republican President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election; in turn, Trump announced “Nicole has my Complete & Total Endorsement!” Malliotakis embraced Trump's backing, saying “I am honored by President Trump’s endorsement and his words of support...I plan to defeat Max Rose and return New York’s 11th Congressional District to commonsense leadership.”[34][35]
President Trump's involvement to assist Malliotakis in the race intensified over the summer, when Trump disparaged her opponent Rose as “terrible”, a “phony”, a “fraud”, “weak”, and a “puppet” of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: “He shouldn’t represent the people of Staten Island, who I love. That’s really Trump country...I love Staten Island. [Rose] shouldn’t represent the people of Staten Island, he’s too weak.” Malliotakis' campaign eagerly echoed the president's sentiments: “President Trump is right; Max Rose is a fraud and a puppet of Nancy Pelosi.”[36]
Malliotakis declared victory upon taking a commanding lead in election day returns on November 3.[37] However, Rose did not immediately concede, citing absentee votes which were yet to be counted.[38] As it became apparent that Malliotakis' lead was too large to overcome, Rose conceded the race on November 12.[35][4]
Tenure
Malliotakis was one of the 139 representatives who voted to contest the results of the 2020 US presidential election in Congress on January 7, 2021.[39]
Political positions
Malliotakis voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election and opposes the sanctuary city status for undocumented immigrants of New York City.[40] She opposed giving drivers' licenses to undocumented immigrants.[14] Regarding abortion, during her run for mayor, she had said "I am not against abortion."[41] She does not support repealing Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion but has voted against taxpayer-funded abortions and against the late-term abortion bill passed by New York state. During her run for mayor, she did not identify as pro-life or pro-choice, saying "it's not black or white, I think there's a lot of things that go into a decision of that magnitude."[42] However, running for Congress, she identified as "pro-life," but reiterated that she does not "hold black-and-white views" on abortion.[43] After originally opposing same-sex marriage, Malliotakis said she regretted that decision and voted to support adoptions by same-sex parents and to protect estate rights for married same-sex couples.[42] She voted against a bill relating to bathroom rights for transgender people.[44]
She opposed raising fees on plastic bags in New York and supports reducing bridge tolls.[40] She proposed a plan to cut property taxes for seniors and to limit increases on property taxes.[45] When running for mayor, she argued that these reforms in property taxes would mean the wealthy would pay a fair share while the poorer residents would get tax relief.[46]
Upon her election to Congress, Malliotakis indicated an intent to join other freshman Republicans in forming a counterweight to oppose the so-called "Squad" of progressive Democrats led by fellow New York City congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. "We have a group of new Republicans who love America. We value freedom, liberty and opportunity," Malliotakis said, referencing several other newly elected members of Congress whose families escaped from Communist regimes like Carlos Giménez and Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida and Victoria Spartz of Indiana. "Freedom for a strong economy. Less government. That’s why our families fled oppressive regimes. Our families fled from oppressive countries with the very same policies that AOC and the Squad are promoting."[47] The coalition is known as the Freedom Force.[48][49][50][51]
In January 2021, Malliotakis objected to the certification of the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election in two states, Arizona and Pennsylvania, based on allegations of voter fraud and allegations of unconstitutional procedures in the election.[52]
Electoral history
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Nicole Malliotakis | 11,742 | 45.9 | +9.2 | |
Conservative | Nicole Malliotakis | 2,039 | 8.0 | ||
Taxpayers | Nicole Malliotakis | 163 | 0.6 | ||
Total | Nicole Malliotakis | 13,944 | 54.5 | ||
Democratic | Janele Hyer-Spencer | 9,788 | 38.2 | −10.0 | |
Independence | Janele Hyer-Spencer | 853 | 3.3 | ||
Working Families | Janele Hyer-Spencer | 794 | 3.1 | ||
Total | Janele Hyer-Spencer (incumbent) | 11,435 | 44.7 | ||
Right to Life | Marietta A. Canning | 197 | 0.8 | ||
Write-in | 15 | 0.1 | |||
Total votes | 25,591 | 100.0 | |||
Republican gain from Democratic | Swing | +19.2 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Nicole Malliotakis | 17,731 | 51.5 | +7.0 | |
Conservative | Nicole Malliotakis | 2,393 | 6.9 | ||
Independence | Nicole Malliotakis | 1,049 | 3.1 | ||
Total | Nicole Malliotakis (incumbent) | 21,173 | 61.5 | ||
Democratic | John Mancuso | 12,328 | 35.8 | −6.3 | |
Working Families | John Mancuso | 913 | 2.7 | ||
Total | John Mancuso | 13,241 | 38.4 | ||
Write-in | 33 | 0.1 | |||
Total votes | 34,447 | 100.0 | |||
Republican hold | Swing | +13.3 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Nicole Malliotakis | 12,112 | 59.0 | +11.8 | |
Conservative | Nicole Malliotakis | 1,907 | 9.3 | ||
Independence | Nicole Malliotakis | 1,032 | 5.0 | ||
Total | Nicole Malliotakis (incumbent) | 15,051 | 73.3 | ||
Democratic | Marybeth Melendez | 4,788 | 23.3 | −11.8 | |
Working Families | Marybeth Melendez | 680 | 3.3 | ||
Total | Marybeth Melendez | 5,468 | 26.6 | ||
Write-in | 27 | 0.1 | |||
Total votes | 20,546 | 100.0 | |||
Republican hold | Swing | +23.6 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Bill de Blasio | 713,634 | 62.1% | |
Working Families | Bill de Blasio | 46,478 | 4.0% | |
Total | Bill de Blasio (incumbent) | 760,112 | 66.1% | |
Republican | Nicole Malliotakis | 274,424 | 23.9% | |
Conservative | Nicole Malliotakis | 37,197 | 3.2% | |
Stop de Blasio | Nicole Malliotakis | 5,327 | 0.5% | |
Total | Nicole Malliotakis | 316,948 | 27.6% | |
Reform | Sal Albanese | 24,484 | 2.1% | |
Green | Akeem Browder | 16,536 | 1.4% | |
Small Cities Party | Michael Tolkin | 11,309 | 1.0% | |
Independent | Bo Dietl | 11,163 | 1.0% | |
Libertarian | Aaron Commey | 2,770 | 1.0% | |
Write-in | 5,343 | 0.5% | ||
Total votes | 1,148,665 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic hold |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Nicole Malliotakis | 15,697 | 69.0 | |
Republican | Joe Caldarera | 7,046 | 31.0 | |
Total votes | 22,743 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Nicole Malliotakis | 126,061 | 53.4% | +11.2 | |
Conservative | Nicole Malliotakis | 10,321 | 4.4% | ||
Total | Nicole Malliotakis | 136,382 | 57.8% | ||
Democratic | Max Rose | 97,328 | 41.2% | −11.0 | |
Independence | Max Rose | 1,896 | 0.8% | ||
Total | Max Rose (incumbent) | 99,224 | 42.0% | ||
Total votes | 236,008 | 100.0 | |||
Republican gain from Democratic | Swing | +22.2 |
Personal life
Malliotakis is single and resides in Staten Island. She is a Greek Orthodox Christian.
See also
References
- ^ Robinson, Gail (November 3, 2010). "As Country Goes Red, New York Stays Blue". Gotham Gazette.
- ^ Biography at the New York State Assembly website. Accessed January 19, 2011.
- ^ "Legislative Preview: Meet the New Members," The Capitol, January 2011, p. 19. Found at NY Capitol News website[permanent dead link]. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
- ^ a b McGoldrick, Meaghan & Rose Adams. Max Rose concedes to Nicole Malliotakis in 11th congressional district race, amNY, November 12, 2020.
- ^ "Legislative Preview: Meet The New Members". The Capitol. Manhattan Media. January 6, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Benanti, Carol Ann (November 11, 2010). "Staten Island veteran of Korean War is a faithful scribe". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com.
Happy Veterans Day birthday to Assemblywoman-elect Nicole Malliotakis, who celebrates her 30th
- ^ "Assembly hopeful Nicole Malliotakis stays close to roots in campaign's final hours". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com. November 2, 2010.
- ^ "Nicole Malliotakis - Assembly District 64 |Assembly Member Directory | New York State Assembly". assembly.state.ny.us.
- ^ William Neuman (October 18, 2017). "She's a Conservative Who Loves Cher. Could She Be New York's Next Mayor?". The New York Times.
- ^ a b c Randall, Judy L. (November 9, 2010). "Political trailblazer from Rosebank poised to light a fire under Albany". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com.
- ^ Anna Sanders (November 10, 2015). "Malliotakis to chair Marco Rubio's New York campaign". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com.
- ^ Padnani, Amy (November 3, 2010). "Nicole Malliotakis, an upstart from Rosebank, runs roughshod over Assembly incumbent". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com.
- ^ Sisto, Christine (July 7, 2014). "The Latina Who Killed the DREAM Act". National Review. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
- ^ a b Alexander, John (August 7, 2019). "Brooklyn's last standing Republican Nicole Malliotakis talks to the Spectator". Brooklyn Reporter. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
- ^ Randall, Judy L. (October 7, 2011). "Staten Island lawmakers divided on toll discount strategy". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com.
- ^ Katz, Celeste (August 6, 2012). "Malliotakis To Port Authority: Information, Please". New York Daily News. NYDailyNews.com.
- ^ Tom Wrobleski (March 14, 2013). "Staten Island's Malliotakis on the rise in American conservative movement". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com.
- ^ John Parkinson and Shushannah Walshe (December 30, 2014). "Replacing Rep. Michael Grimm: Contenders Include Eric Garner DA". ABC News.
- ^ "New York State Assembly | Bill Search and Legislative Information". assembly.state.ny.us. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ Randall, Judy L. (February 12, 2011). "Push to save friendship clubs". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com.
- ^ Randall, Judy L. (October 25, 2011). "Hated MTA payroll tax takes its lumps at forum on Staten Island". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com.
- ^ McDonough, Daniel (December 12, 2011). "Cheering the end of the MTA payroll tax". Legislative Gazette. LegislativeGazette.com.
- ^ Staten Island Advance Editorial (January 7, 2012). "Ms. Malliotakis speaks out". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com.
- ^ Randall, Judy L. (January 11, 2012). "Port Authority blunders cost Staten Islanders millions of $$". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com.
- ^ Editorial (March 1, 2012). "Brooklyn Rising Stars to be honored on March 22". Home Reporter News. HomeReporterNews.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013.
- ^ "Assemblywoman Malliotakis named 'rising star'". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com. February 8, 2012.
- ^ "Class of 2012".
- ^ "New York State Assembly Top Ranking Voters' Guide 2011-2012". Archived from the original on February 9, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
- ^ Shapiro, Rachel (April 18, 2017). "Malliotakis: I'll Run for Mayor if Catsimatidis Doesn't". Staten Island Live. Staten Island Live. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
- ^ Jorgensen, Jillian (April 25, 2017). "Staten Island pol Nicole Malliotakis files candidacy for mayor". NY Daily News. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
- ^ "Republican mayoral contender quits race, citing money concerns". Crain's New York Business. June 28, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
- ^ "Mayor deBlasio Wins Second Term as New York City Mayor". CBS News. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
- ^ Hughes, Jazmine (October 13, 2020). "Rep. Max Rose Seeks 2nd Term by Targeting Fellow Democrat: De Blasio". The New York Times. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ^ Kashiwagi, Sydney (February 12, 2020). "Malliotakis wins 'Complete & Total Endorsement' from Trump in congressional race against Max Rose". Staten Island Advance. Retrieved November 13, 2020 – via silive
.com. {{cite web}}
: External link in
(help)|via=
- ^ a b Hughes, Jazmine (November 12, 2020). "Rep. Max Rose Is Defeated as Republicans Take Back N.Y.C. Seat" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ Nelson, Steven; Bowden, Ebony (August 14, 2020). "'Staten Island is Trump country': Trump calls for ouster of Rep. Max Rose". New York Post. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
- ^ Hicks, Nolan; Campanile, Carl (November 3, 2020). "GOP's Nicole Malliotakis takes commanding lead against Rep. Max Rose". New York Post. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
- ^ "New York Election Results: 11th Congressional District". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
- ^ Yourish, Karen; Buchanan, Larry; Lu, Denise (January 7, 2021). "The 147 Republicans Who Voted to Overturn Election Results". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- ^ a b Coltin, Jeff (September 15, 2017). "The gloves come off: Can Nicole Malliotakis land any punches?". City & State New York. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ "Up Close: Republican mayoral candidate Nicole Malliotakis | abc7ny.com". abc7ny.com. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
- ^ a b Max, Ben (July 6, 2017). "Nicole Malliotakis on Trying to Become New York's First Female Mayor". Gotham Gazette. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ Adams, Rose. "Where do they stand? Max Rose, Nicole Malliotakis break down policy positions, goals". Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
- ^ Jorgensen, Jillian. "Nicole Malliotakis OK with gay marriage, but not transgender bathroom bill". nydailynews.com. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ Politics, Kings County (September 25, 2018). "Malliotakis Floats Property Tax Proposal". Kings County Politics. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ Gartl, Michael (October 26, 2017). "Malliotakis vows to reform property taxes if elected mayor". New York Post. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ Campanile, Carl (November 13, 2020). "Rep-elect Nicole Malliotakis forming 'Freedom Squad' to counter AOC crew". New York Post. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
- ^ Jankowicz, Mia. "A group of incoming GOP House members, calling themselves the 'Freedom Force,' are trying to counter Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's 'Squad'". Business Insider.
- ^ Parrott, Jeff (December 29, 2020). "GOP's 'Freedom Force' members say they are ready to take on the 'socialist Squad'". Deseret News.
- ^ Parke, Caleb (December 1, 2020). "GOP Congresswoman-elect on forming 'Freedom Force': Left is 'totally out of line' with mainstream". Fox News.
- ^ "The 'Freedom Force': Republican group takes on the Squad and 'evil' socialism". the Guardian. November 30, 2020.
- ^ Yourish, Karen; Buchanan, Larry; Lu, Denise (January 7, 2021). "The 147 Republicans Who Voted To Overturn Election Results". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ "New York City Board of Elections, Member of the Assembly 60th Assembly District 2010 General Election - 11/02/2010 Statement and Return Report for Certification" (PDF). November 30, 2010. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
- ^ "New York City Board of Elections, Member of the Assembly 64th Assembly District 2012 General Election - 11/06/2012 Statement and Return Report for Certification" (PDF). March 19, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
- ^ "New York City Board of Elections, Member of the Assembly 64th Assembly District 2014 General Election - 11/04/2014 Statement and Return Report for Certification" (PDF). August 27, 2015. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - New York City Mayor Race - Nov 07, 2017". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
- ^ "New York City Board of Elections, 2017 General Election - 11/07/2017 Statement and Return Report for Certification" (PDF). July 16, 2019. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
- ^ "BOARD OF ELECTIONS IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK 2020 ELECTION NIGHT RESULTS Representative in Congress, 11th Congressional District". Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ^ "New York State Board of Elections, 2020 General Election Night Results". Retrieved November 6, 2020.
External links
- Representative Nicole Malliotakis, official U.S. House website
- York State Assembly site
- Campaign site