Nicole_Malliotakis

Nicole Malliotakis

Nicole Malliotakis

American politician (born 1980)


Nicole Malliotakis (/ˌmæliəˈtɔːkɪs/ MAL-ee-ə-TAW-kiss; born November 11, 1980) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for New York's 11th congressional district since 2021. Her constituency covers Staten Island and southern Brooklyn.

Quick Facts Preceded by, Member of the New York State Assembly from the 64th district ...

Malliotakis is the only Republican representing any part of New York City in Congress, and is one of five female Republican elected officials in New York City, with the other four serving on the New York City Council. In 2020, she defeated incumbent Representative Max Rose. She was the Republican nominee for mayor of New York City in the 2017 election, which she lost to incumbent Democrat Bill de Blasio.

Early life and education

Malliotakis was born on November 11, 1980, in the Manhattan borough of New York City.[1][2] She moved to Staten Island when she was two years old and grew up in Great Kills,[3] the daughter of immigrant parents; her father is from Greece and her mother from Cuba, having left in 1959 following the rise of Fidel Castro.[1] She was raised in the Greek Orthodox faith.[4]

Malliotakis attended New Dorp High School on Staten Island, and during her senior year was elected class president.[5] She received a B.A. in communications from Seton Hall University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Wagner College.[6]

Early political career

Malliotakis worked as a community liaison for former State Senator John Marchi in 200304 and former Governor George Pataki in 200406. Before her election, she also worked on state energy policy as the Consolidated Edison Company of New York's public affairs manager.[6]

In November 2015, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida named Malliotakis the New York State chair of his 2016 presidential campaign.[7]

New York State Assembly

Malliotakis in 2012

In 2010, Malliotakis won the election to represent the 60th District in the New York State Assembly, defeating two-term Democratic incumbent Janele Hyer-Spencer by 10 percentage points.[8] Upon her election to the Assembly, she 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,[9] and the first person of Hispanic descent elected from Staten Island.[6] As of January 2018, she was one of only two Republicans from the City of New York serving in the Assembly, along with Michael Reilly. Malliotakis was Brooklyn's only Republican lawmaker.[10]

In October 2011, Malliotakis 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.[11] 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 on the effect the toll increases had had on business at New York Container Terminal.[12]

Malliotakis was reelected in 2012 with 61% of the vote and in 2014 with 73% of the vote in both Brooklyn and Staten Island. After U.S. Representative Michael Grimm's resignation in 2014, she was mentioned as a top contender for his seat, but decided against a run.[13]

She made elder rights a hallmark of her tenure and successfully fought to keep a senior center in Staten Island from being closed.[14]

Malliotakis held a series of forums on the MTA Payroll Mobility Tax and its alleged negative impact on small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and private schools.[15] The New York state legislature and Governor Andrew Cuomo subsequently enacted significant repeals.[16] Malliotakis fought for relief from the September 2011 toll increase on Port Authority bridges,[17] calling for divestment of costly non-essential real estate holdings and highlighting mismanaged contributions to community organizations.[18]

During her first year in the Assembly, Malliotakis was named a "rising star" by Capitol News, Home Reporter News,[19] the Hispanic Coalition of New York,[20] and the Greek America Foundation.[21] The Business Council of New York State named her a "top-ranking pro-jobs supporter".[22]

2017 New York City mayoral campaign

Mayoral campaign logo

On April 25, 2017, Malliotakis filed as a Republican candidate for mayor of New York City in the 2017 election.[23][24] She won the Republican nomination unopposed after businessman Paul Massey dropped out in June over money concerns.[25] On November 7, 2017, Malliotakis lost the election to incumbent Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio, 66–28%.[26] She received 70% of the vote in Staten Island.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2020

In 2020, Malliotakis ran as the Republican nominee for New York's 11th congressional district against incumbent Democrat Max Rose.[27] Her state assembly district included much of the eastern portion of the congressional district.

The race was considered 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 a contentious race, with many attack ads on both sides.[citation needed]

Malliotakis endorsed incumbent Republican President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election; in turn, Trump announced, "Nicole has my Complete & Total Endorsement!" She 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."[28][29]

Malliotakis declared victory upon taking a commanding lead in election day returns on November 3. Rose did not immediately concede, citing absentee votes yet to be counted.[30] As it became apparent that Malliotakis's lead was too large to overcome, Rose conceded on November 12.[31] Malliotakis took 53% of the vote to Rose's 46.8%.[32]

2022

In 2022, Malliotakis ran for a second term against former Democratic congressman Max Rose in a rematch of her previous race.[33] She declared victory on election night, and Rose conceded defeat shortly afterward; Malliotakis took 60.9% of the vote to Rose's 39.1%.[34]

Tenure

In January 2021, Malliotakis was appointed as the Assistant Minority Whip for the Republican Conference, the House Committees On Foreign Affairs and Transportation & Infrastructure, as well as the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus.[35]

On February 4, 2021, Malliotakis joined 10 other Republican House members and all Democrats in voting to strip Marjorie Taylor Greene of her House Education and Labor Committee and House Budget Committee assignments in response to controversial political statements she had made.[36] Malliotakis called Greene’s comments "extraordinarily offensive and hurtful to thousands of 9/11 families and first responders, our Jewish community and many others in my district."[citation needed]

On November 5, 2021, Malliotakis joined 12 other Republicans in voting for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which passed the House 228–206.

In January 2023, Malliotakis was selected to serve on the House Committee on Ways and Means in the 118th Congress; she is the only House member from New York City to serve on the committee this term and the first Republican from the city to serve on the committee in 30 years.[37]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Political positions

During her time in Congress, the American Conservative Union, a political action committee (PAC) supporting American conservatism, gave her a 66% score for voting in line with its positions while the American Civil Liberties Union, a PAC associated with American liberalism and libertarianism, gave her a 0% score.[43] 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; the coalition is known as the Freedom Force.[44][45][46][47]

2020 election

Shortly after Joe Biden defeated Trump in the 2020 presidential election, Malliotakis refused to acknowledge Biden's win, echoing Trump's refusal to concede the election.[48] In the aftermath, Malliotakis supported Trump's false claims of election fraud.[49] On January 6, 2021, Malliotakis voted to object to counting either Arizona's or Pennsylvania's electoral votes in the 2020 presidential election based on disproved allegations of voter fraud and unconstitutional procedures.[50] On January 9, more than 300 protesters, including seven New York City and New York State elected officials, gathered outside her Brooklyn office to call for her to either vote to impeach Trump or resign, noting that her vote to object to the election results was premised on spurious voter-fraud theories that had motivated a violent, armed attack on the U.S. Capitol.[51] On January 13, she voted against Trump's second impeachment for inciting the storming of the Capitol.[52]

Abortion

As a state legislator, she received a 100% rating in 2011 from the New York State Right to Life Committee, an anti-abortion PAC, and a 50% rating in 2019 from Planned Parenthood Empire State, a pro-abortion rights PAC, indicating how often she voted with their positions.[43] During her run for mayor, she said, "I am not against abortion."[53] She does not support overturning Roe v. Wade, but has voted against taxpayer-funded abortions and against New York state's late-term abortion bill. 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."[54] But in her congressional campaign, she identified as pro-life, even as she reiterated that she does not "hold black-and-white views" on abortion.[55]

COVID-19

Malliotakis voted against the American Rescue Plan in 2021, but after its passage, she touted aspects of the legislation as one of her "achievements".[56]

Donald Trump

Malliotakis voted for Trump in the 2016 presidential election and opposes sanctuary city status for undocumented immigrants in New York City.[57] During her mayoral campaign, she said that she regretted voting for Trump and that she would "write in Marco Rubio so that I could tell you I voted for Marco Rubio."[58][59] In 2020, however, she endorsed and said that she voted for Trump.[60]

Gun policy

On legislation relating to firearms and gun ownership, Malliotakis received an 8% rating from the Gun Owners of America, a PAC opposing gun control laws, and a "C-" grade from the NRA Political Victory Fund,[61][62] another PAC opposing gun control legislation.[43]

Immigration

Malliotakis has repeatedly called for the implementation of additional security measures on the border between the United States and Mexico.[63]

While in the State Assembly, Malliotakis said she was "against New York State extending licenses for illegal immigrants".[10]

Infrastructure

On November 5, 2021, Malliotakis was among the 13 House Republicans who voted with a majority of Democrats to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a $1.2 trillion infrastructure spending bill.[64]

LGBT rights

After originally opposing same-sex marriage, Malliotakis said she regretted that position and voted to support adoptions by same-sex parents and to protect estate rights for married same-sex couples.[54] She voted against a bill relating to bathroom rights for transgender people.[65] Malliotakis also voted against the Equality Act.[66] She has been endorsed by Log Cabin Republicans, a Republican PAC in favor of same-sex marriage and other LGBTQ rights.[67]

On July 19, 2022, Malliotakis and 46 other Republican Representatives voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, which would codify the right to same-sex marriage in federal law.[68] She said, "In 2017, I expressed my deep regret for voting against a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in New York State while in the state Assembly six years prior. Over the past decade, I have attended two weddings of couples who deserve equal recognition and protection under the law."[69] On December 8, 2022, she and 38 other Republican representatives voted for the final passage of the Respect for Marriage Act.[70]

Taxes

Malliotakis opposed raising fees on plastic bags in New York and supports reducing bridge tolls.[57] She proposed a plan to cut property taxes for seniors and to limit increases on property taxes.[71]

Big Tech

In 2022, Malliotakis was one of 39 Republicans to vote for the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022, an antitrust package that would crack down on corporations for anti-competitive behavior.[72][73]

Electoral history

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Personal life

Malliotakis is multilingual, speaking English and Spanish fluently and some Greek.[1] She was baptized into the Greek Orthodox Church.[82]

See also


References

  1. Minsky, Pearl (November 25, 2019). "Memoirs: Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis". Staten Island Advance. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  2. Benanti, Carol Ann (November 11, 2010). "Staten Island veteran of Korean War is a faithful scribe". Staten Island Advance. Happy Veterans Day birthday to Assemblywoman-elect Nicole Malliotakis, who celebrates her 30th
  3. William Neuman (October 18, 2017). "She's a Conservative Who Loves Cher. Could She Be New York's Next Mayor?". The New York Times.
  4. Randall, Judy L. (November 9, 2010). "Political trailblazer from Rosebank poised to light a fire under Albany". Staten Island Advance.
  5. Anna Sanders (November 10, 2015). "Malliotakis to chair Marco Rubio's New York campaign". Staten Island Advance.
  6. Sisto, Christine (July 7, 2014). "The Latina Who Killed the DREAM Act". National Review. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  7. Alexander, John (August 7, 2019). "Brooklyn's last standing Republican Nicole Malliotakis talks to the Spectator". Brooklyn Reporter. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  8. Randall, Judy L. (October 7, 2011). "Staten Island lawmakers divided on toll discount strategy". Staten Island Advance.
  9. Katz, Celeste (August 6, 2012). "Malliotakis To Port Authority: Information, Please". New York Daily News.
  10. John Parkinson and Shushannah Walshe (December 30, 2014). "Replacing Rep. Michael Grimm: Contenders Include Eric Garner DA". ABC News.
  11. Randall, Judy L. (February 12, 2011). "Push to save friendship clubs". Staten Island Advance.
  12. Randall, Judy L. (October 25, 2011). "Hated MTA payroll tax takes its lumps at forum on Staten Island". Staten Island Advance.
  13. McDonough, Daniel (December 12, 2011). "Cheering the end of the MTA payroll tax". Legislative Gazette.
  14. Staten Island Advance Editorial (January 7, 2012). "Ms. Malliotakis speaks out". Staten Island Advance.
  15. Randall, Judy L. (January 11, 2012). "Port Authority blunders cost Staten Islanders millions of $$". Staten Island Advance.
  16. Editorial (March 1, 2012). "Brooklyn Rising Stars to be honored on March 22". Home Reporter News. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013.
  17. "Assemblywoman Malliotakis named 'rising star'". Staten Island Advance. February 8, 2012.
  18. "Class of 2012". Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  19. "New York State Assembly Top Ranking Voters' Guide 2011-2012". Archived from the original on February 9, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  20. Shapiro, Rachel (April 18, 2017). "Malliotakis: I'll Run for Mayor if Catsimatidis Doesn't". Staten Island Live. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  21. Jorgensen, Jillian (April 25, 2017). "Staten Island pol Nicole Malliotakis files candidacy for mayor". New York Daily News. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  22. "Republican mayoral contender quits race, citing money concerns". Crain's New York Business. June 28, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  23. "Mayor de Blasio Wins Second Term as New York City Mayor". CBS News. November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  24. 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.
  25. 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.
  26. Hughes, Jazmine (November 12, 2020). "Rep. Max Rose Is Defeated as Republicans Take Back N.Y.C. Seat". The New York Times.
  27. "New York Election Results: 11th Congressional District". The New York Times. November 3, 2020. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  28. Durkin, Erin (November 8, 2022). "Republican Nicole Malliotakis defends NY-11 seat". POLITICO. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  29. "Rep. Nicole Malliotakis on how Republicans view Biden's agenda". PBS NewsHour. January 20, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  30. Clare Foran; Daniella Diaz; Annie Grayer (February 4, 2021). "House votes to remove Marjorie Taylor Greene from committee assignments". CNN. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  31. Luces, David (January 12, 2023). "Nicole Malliotakis selected to serve on House Ways and Means Committee". silive. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  32. "Committees and Caucuses". Representative Nicole Malliotakis. January 3, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  33. "Committees and Caucuses". Representative Nicole Malliotakis. January 3, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  34. "Homepage of Republican Governance Group". Republican Governance Group. December 14, 2019.
  35. Malliotakis, Nicole (January 15, 2021). "Republican Study Committee Unveils Plan to Save Our Democracy". U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  36. "MEMBERS". RMSP. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  37. "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  38. Michel, Clifford (November 10, 2020). "Staten Island's Malliotakis Echoes Trump's Refusal to Admit Biden Won Election". THE CITY. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  39. 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.
  40. Adams, Rose (January 11, 2021). "Hundreds Protest Nicole Malliotakis' Objection to Election Results, Call for Resignation". Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  41. Cai, Weiyi; Daniel, Annie; Gamio, Lazaro; Parlapiano, Alicia (January 13, 2021). "Impeachment Results: How Democrats and Republicans Voted". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  42. Max, Ben (July 6, 2017). "Nicole Malliotakis on Trying to Become New York's First Female Mayor". Gotham Gazette. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  43. Adams, Rose (October 22, 2020). "Where do they stand? Max Rose, Nicole Malliotakis break down policy positions, goals". Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  44. "Republicans promote pandemic relief they voted against". AP NEWS. May 6, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  45. Coltin, Jeff (September 15, 2017). "The gloves come off: Can Nicole Malliotakis land any punches?". City & State New York. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  46. S, Anna; As, Ers | (September 19, 2017). "Malliotakis says she regrets voting for Trump". silive. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  47. Hughes, Jazmine (February 4, 2021). "A Trump-Supporting Congresswoman in New York City Stands Her Ground". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  48. "NRA-PVF | Grades | New York". nrapvf.org. NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on November 3, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  49. "NRA-PVF | Grades | New York". nrapvf.org. NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on November 5, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  50. Grayer, Annie (November 6, 2021). "These 6 House Democrats voted against the infrastructure bill. These 13 Republicans voted for it". CNN. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  51. Jorgensen, Jillian (July 6, 2017). "Nicole Malliotakis OK with gay marriage, but not transgender bathroom bill". New York Daily News. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  52. "Role Call 39, Bill Number H.R.5". Office of the Clerk, US House of Representatives. February 25, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  53. "Allies In Congress". Log Cabin Republicans. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  54. Schnell, Mychael (July 19, 2022). "These are the 47 House Republicans who voted for a bill protecting marriage equality". The Hill. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  55. Schnell, Mychael (December 8, 2022). "Here are the 39 House Republicans who backed the same-sex marriage bill". The Hill. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  56. "Malliotakis Floats Property Tax Proposal". Kings County Politics. September 25, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  57. "Our Campaigns - New York City Mayor Race - Nov 07, 2017". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  58. "2020 Election Results". New York State Board of Elections. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  59. Hughes, Jazmine (February 4, 2021). "A Trump-Supporting Congresswoman in New York City Stands Her Ground". The New York Times. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
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