# Nicole Malliotakis

Nicole Malliotakis (/ˌmæliəˈtɑːkɪs/ MAL-ee-ə-TAH-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.
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. She moved to Staten Island when she was two years old and grew up in Great Kills, 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. She was raised in the Greek Orthodox faith.
Malliotakis attended New Dorp High School on Staten Island, and during her senior year was elected class president. She received a B.A. in communications from Seton Hall University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Wagner College.

## Early political career

Malliotakis worked as a community liaison for former State Senator John Marchi in 2003–04 and former governor George Pataki in 2004–06. Before her election, she also worked on state energy policy as the Consolidated Edison Company of New York's public affairs manager.
In November 2015, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida named Malliotakis the New York State chair of his 2016 presidential campaign.

## New York State Assembly

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. 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, and the first person of Hispanic descent elected from Staten Island. 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.
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. 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.
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.
She made elder rights a hallmark of her tenure and successfully fought to keep a senior center in Staten Island from being closed.
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. The New York state legislature and Governor Andrew Cuomo subsequently enacted significant repeals. Malliotakis fought for relief from the September 2011 toll increase on Port Authority bridges, calling for divestment of costly non-essential real estate holdings and highlighting mismanaged contributions to community organizations.

## 2017 New York City mayoral campaign

On April 25, 2017, Malliotakis filed as a Republican candidate for mayor of New York City in the 2017 election. She won the Republican nomination unopposed after businessman Paul Massey dropped out in June over money concerns. On November 7, 2017, Malliotakis lost the election to incumbent Democratic mayor Bill de Blasio, 66–28%. 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. 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 is by far the most conservative district of the 12 that divide New York City, and one of the most conservative urban districts in the country. It is the only New York City-based district 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.
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."
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. As it became apparent that Malliotakis's lead was too large to overcome, Rose conceded on November 12. Malliotakis took 53% of the vote to Rose's 47%. She was helped by coattails from Trump, who carried the district with 54.8 percent of the vote. Not only was this Trump's second strongest margin in the state, but the 11th was the only city-based district to give him as much as 30 percent.

#### 2022

In 2022, Malliotakis ran for a second term against former Democratic congressman Max Rose in a rematch of her previous race. She declared victory on election night, and Rose conceded defeat shortly afterward; Malliotakis took 62% of the vote to Rose's 38%.

#### 2024

In 2024, Nicole Malliotakis was re-elected for a third term in the United States House of Representatives, defeating Democratic challenger Andrea Morse. Nicole Malliotakis garnered 64.49% of the vote, compared to Morse's 35.12%, securing a decisive victory in New York's 11th Congressional District.

### 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.
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. 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."
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.

### Committee assignments

* House Committee on Ways and Means
** Subcommittee on Tax
** Subcommittee on Oversight
* House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis
* Assistant Whip for the House Republican Conference

### Caucus memberships

* Climate Solutions Caucus
* Conservative Climate Caucus
* Republican Governance Group
* Republican Study Committee
* Republican Main Street Partnership
* Rare Disease Caucus
* Congressional Hellenic Caucus
* Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance Caucus
* Republican Israel Caucus
* US-Lebanon Friendship Caucus
* Congressional Zoo and Aquarium Caucus
* Law Enforcement Caucus
* Armenian Caucus
* SALT Caucus
* Congressional Taiwan Caucus
* Congressional Egypt Caucus
* Congressional Cigar Caucus
* Friends of Ireland Caucus
* Congressional Hispanic Conference Caucus

## 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. 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.

### 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. During her run for mayor, she said, "I am not against abortion." 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." 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.

### 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".

### Donald Trump

Malliotakis voted for Trump in the 2016 presidential election. 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." In 2020, however, she endorsed and said that she voted for Trump.
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. In the aftermath, Malliotakis supported Trump's false claims of election fraud. 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. 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. On January 13, she voted against Trump's second impeachment for inciting the storming of the Capitol.
She again endorsed Trump in 2024.
In the 119th United States Congress, she co-sponsored a pair of resolutions meant to expunge Trump's impeachments.

### 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, another PAC opposing gun control legislation.

### Health care

She has criticized the Affordable Care Act, saying it is "strangling the business community."

### Immigration

Malliotakis has repeatedly called for the implementation of additional security measures on the border between the United States and Mexico. She opposes sanctuary city status for undocumented immigrants in New York City. While in the State Assembly, Malliotakis said she was "against New York State extending licenses for illegal immigrants".

### 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.

### LGBTQ+ 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. She repeatedly voted against the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, a New York state law banning discrimination on the basis of gender expression, which she said was too concerned with "bathrooms." Malliotakis also voted against the Equality Act.
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. 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." On December 8, 2022, she and 38 other Republican representatives voted for the final passage of the Respect for Marriage Act.
She has been endorsed by Log Cabin Republicans, a Republican PAC in favor of same-sex marriage and other LGBTQ rights.

### New York policy

Malliotakis has opposed congestion pricing in the most congested parts of Manhattan. In 2024, she said she was looking for "any legislative and legal option" to stop the congestion pricing plan.
Malliotakis opposed raising fees on plastic bags in New York and supports reducing bridge tolls. She proposed a plan to cut property taxes for seniors and to limit increases on property taxes.

## Electoral history

New York State Assembly District 60, General Election 2010 :
| Party | 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 | Write-in | 15 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,591 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Swing | +19.2 | |
New York State Assembly District 64, General Election 2012 :
| Party | 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 | Write-in | 33 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 34,447 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Swing | +13.3 | |
New York State Assembly District 64, General Election 2014 :
| Party | 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 | Write-in | 27 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 20,546 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Swing | +23.6 | |
New York City Mayoral General Election, 2017 :
| Party | 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 | Write-in | 5,343 | 0.5% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,148,665 | 100.00% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
New York's 11th congressional district Republican primary results, 2020 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Nicole Malliotakis | 15,697 | 69.0 |
| | Republican | Joe Caldarera | 7,046 | 31.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,743 | 100.0 |
New York's 11th congressional district, 2020 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Nicole Malliotakis | 143,420 | 49.0 |
| | Conservative | Nicole Malliotakis | 12,188 | 4.2 |
| | Total | Nicole Malliotakis | 155,608 | 53.2 |
| | Democratic | Max Rose | 134,625 | 46.0 |
| | Independence | Max Rose | 2,573 | 0.8 |
| | Total | Max Rose (incumbent) | 137,198 | 46.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 292,806 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |
New York's 11th congressional district, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Nicole Malliotakis | 107,989 | 57.4 |
| | Conservative | Nicole Malliotakis | 8,003 | 4.2 |
| | Total | Nicole Malliotakis (incumbent) | 115,992 | 61.6 |
| | Democratic | Max Rose | 71,801 | 38.1 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 306 | 0.16 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 185,838 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |
New York's 11th congressional district, 2024 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Nicole Malliotakis | 147,504 | 59.12 |
| | Conservative | Nicole Malliotakis | 13,404 | 5.37 |
| | Total | Nicole Malliotakis (incumbent) | 160,908 | 64.49 |
| | Democratic | Andrea Morse | 87,640 | 35.12 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 968 | 0.16 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 249,516 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Personal life

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