NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — One of the tightest congressional races in our area is in New York’s 11th District, which is located on Staten Island and a small portion of Brooklyn.
The top issue Nicole Malliotakis his hearing about is public safety.
“A lot of policies that we're opposed to here in New York that made us less safe, they're trying to bring it to the national level as well,” she says.
“They” are the Democrats.
Republican challenger Malliotakis was elected to the New York Assembly in 2010 and says she understands the community better than anyone.
“The people of this community know me. They know that I'm there for them. After Hurricane Sandy, I was there helping them recover and rebuild,” she said. “I've been there throughout helping people navigate red tape and bureaucracy and the insurance companies. During COVID, I delivered 100,000 pieces of PPE to our front line.”
Incumbent Max Rose is looking for a second term in the city's most conservative district. He defeated Republican incumbent Dan Donovan in 2018 to get the seat.
The Army veteran is stressing his independence, saying parties shouldn’t matter when thinking about the future of America.
“It’s got to be country first, party allegiance cannot matter right now,” Rose said.
He says he has worked hard for the district in Congress and he will continue to do so if reelected.
“I’m proud of my record. Proud of my record putting sanctions on Chinese pharmaceutical companies who are producing illicit fentanyl killing our kids,” Rose said. “Proud of my record to get legislation done within my first 90 days to get the Seawall Project running along the shore of Staten Island. Proud that we get the Victims Compensation Fund across the finish line, a $30 billion dollars effort.”
The race is being watched nationally.
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