Category Archives: Nicole Malliotakis

Met Club Dinner



Mayoral candidates Paul Massey and Nicole Massey attended the Metropolitan Republican Club’s annual dinner Monday night, with each speaking separately and then doing a joint audience Q&A.  Such close engagement has been very limited so far in the mayoral campaign, with Massey and Malliotakis appearing together just twice.  In just one of those joint appearances, at a candidate forum hosted by the Manhattan Republican Party, did they engage before the audience.

Continue reading Met Club Dinner

Ulrich Fundraiser



The Bo Show rolled into Howard Beach Saturday afternoon, adding some sizzle to Eric Ulrich’s reelection campaign fundraiser.  Ulrich, who seriously pursued running for mayor before opting to run for a third and final term on the City Council, has endorsed Bo Dietl for mayor and Dietl returned the favor appearing at Ulrich’s fundraiser.  Dietl encountered fellow mayoral candidate Nicole Malliotakis and Queens County Republican Chairman Bob Turner, an early and enthusiastic backer of mayoral candidate Paul Massey.  Massey, who has been endorsed by Turner’s Queens County Republican organization, did not attend.  Continue reading Ulrich Fundraiser

Malliotakis On Cuomo & MTA



Republican mayoral candidate Nicole Malliotakis has a generally positive view of Governor Andrew Cuomo, although she’s dismissive of his recent attempt to distance himself from the MTA.  Speaking Saturday during a visit to a reelection fundraiser held by Council Member Eric Ulrich, Malliotakis included several criticisms of Mayor Bill de Blasio in her comments on Cuomo and the MTA. Continue reading Malliotakis On Cuomo & MTA

Malliotakis Pitches Bronx GOP



Republican mayoral candidate Nicole Malliotakis spoke to the Bronx Republican Party Wednesday evening, seeking their forthcoming endorsement.   The Bronx Republicans are expected to make their mayoral endorsement next week and its a strong possibility that Malliotakis will get that endorsement over rival Paul Massey.

An audience of about 35 people listened attentively as Malliotakis spoke for about 10 minutes and then answered questions for about 20 minutes, pitching herself as having challenged Mayor de Blasio and other government powers and agencies.

An audience of about 35 people listened attentively as Malliotakis spoke for about 10 minutes and then answered questions for about 20 minutes, pitching herself as having challenged Mayor de Blasio and other government powers and agencies.

Bronx Republican Chairman Mike Rendino gave her a warm introduction, saying she’s the “future superstar mayor of New York City.”   Continue reading Malliotakis Pitches Bronx GOP

Candidates On Conservative Party Endorsement



The Conservative Party endorsed Nicole Malliotakis today, choosing her as their mayoral candidate over rival Paul Massey.  We spoke with each of them tonight about that endorsement, Malliotakis as she arrived in Throggs Neck for a meeting of the Bronx Republican Party and Massey as he departed a town hall with the Queens Public Transit Committee in South Ozone Park.  (Our pre-endorsement analysis outlining the process and outcome is here.) Continue reading Candidates On Conservative Party Endorsement

Conservative Party Nomination Preview



The Conservative Party is poised to select its mayoral candidate tomorrow.  Here’s a look at what’s likely to happen along with my prediction of the winning candidate.

Continue reading Conservative Party Nomination Preview

Queens GOP Dinner



Republican mayoral candidates Nicole Malliotakis and Paul Massey crossed paths at the Queens Republican Party’s Spring Dinner, working the crowd separately and each speaking during dinner Wednesday night.  In a bit of fortuitous timing Massey walked into the dinner as Malliotakis explained her late entry into the race as motivated by the fact that “I haven’t seen the passion, I haven’t seen the energy” from the other candidates.  That was as close as they came to any direct debate or confrontation, however.

Continue reading Queens GOP Dinner

Conservative Party Nomination?



With a decision on the Conservative Party nomination for mayor expected in less than a week, Nicole Malliotakis’ prospects appear increasingly strong.  Last night the Queens County Conservative Party informally lined up behind Malliotakis after hosting her for a screening interview, according to Queens County Chairman Tom Long.  A formal vote by the Queens County Committee is not expected until May 18th, however.   (Our report from the recent Queens County Conservative Dinner is available here.) Continue reading Conservative Party Nomination?

Malliotakis Moving Massey Endorsements? (Updated)



At a City Hall press conference Friday Republican mayoral candidate Nicole Malliotakis suggested that she may cause a change in two significant endorsements received by rival candidate Paul Massey.  Massey has received the endorsement of the Queens Republican Party and Staten Island Assembly Member Ron Castorina.  Queens Republican Party Chairman Bob Turner was an early supporter of Massey and his Queens Republican Party endorsed Massey last week.  Castorina, expected to be elected chairman of the Staten Island Republican Party soon, was the first elected official to have endorsed a Republican mayoral candidate (our report from his February 22nd endorsement is available here).

Friday I asked Malliotakis how she plans to overcome Massey’s early advantages of the two endorsements and significant fundraising.  Before criticizing Massey Malliotakis addressed the endorsements, saying that “perhaps that will change now that I’m in the race.”

Continue reading Malliotakis Moving Massey Endorsements? (Updated)

Malliotakis Kickoff



Republican mayoral candidate Nicole Malliotakis held a campaign kickoff press conference Friday at City Hall.  Malliotakis became a candidate and began campaigning about two weeks ago, so the news in her appearance comes from her comments rather the fact of her candidacy.

In her fourth term in the New York State Assembly, and one of only seven New York City Republicans holding city or state office,  Malliotakis is fairly well-known to New York City Republicans.  She’s a fairly late entry in the race, but with an established Staten Island electoral base and a fair amount of name recognition among City Republicans she’s an immediately viable candidate.

Malliotakis fielded a wide range of press questions, covering her candidacy and prospects and rival Paul Massey, City policing and crime, her recent condemnation of Linda Sarsour, the American Health Care Act, Mayor de Blasio and her position on continuing to allow carriage horses to operate.

Video:

Opening statement:

Q&A:

Malliotakis & Massey Mix It Up, Moderately



Republican mayoral candidates Nicole Malliotakis and Paul Massey mixed it up a bit Thursday, with Massey issuing a statement critical of Malliotakis for receiving campaign contributions from Linda Sarsour.  Malliotakis has recently criticized Sarsour, a Palestinian-American political activist, and demanded that CUNY rescind an invitation to Sarsour to speak at commencement.  State Board of Election records show that Sarsour gave Malliotakis two contributions of $150 each, one in 2011 and one in 2012.

Malliotakis dismissed Massey’s criticism, suggesting that “he should be focusing on actually proposing something for the voters.”

Malliotakis on ConCon



“I’m actually very torn on it.”  That’s Republican mayoral candidate Nicole Malliotakis on whether she supports holding a New York State constitutional convention.

The 2017 general election will present voters with a ballot question of whether to hold such a constitutional convention, often referred to as a “ConCon.” The state constitution requires that voters be presented with such a ballot question every 20 years; it was voted down in 1997 and 1977. Should voters approve a ConCon, convention delegates would be elected in the 2018 general election and the convention would convene in the spring of 2019.

Malliotakis, who is her fourth term in the state Assembly, described potential positives from a convention as including reducing the power of the Assembly speaker, legislative term limits and more equitable treatment of legislators.  She expressed concerns about stripping or reductions of public employee pensions.  Malliotakis is, for a Republican elected official, unusually supportive of public employees and public sector unions.

Here’s what Malliotakis had to say:

Update – September Statement:

Malliotakis’ statement taking a position is available here.

Malliotakis On AHCA



“I don’t know because I haven’t read it.”  That was Republican mayoral candidate and Assembly Member Nicole Malliotakis’ final answer when asked whether she supports the American Health Care Act, approved Thursday by the House of Representatives.  Malliotakis expressed general support for a replacement of the Affordable Care Act while emphasizing the importance of considering the precise terms of any proposed legislation.  The AHCA text was released only the night before the House voted and few if any members had actually read it.  I spoke with Malliotakis following her appearance Thursday night at the Metropolitan Republican Club.

Here’s what Malliotakis had to say: