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First-term Democratic representative for Staten Island, Max Rose, admitted Thursday that he lost his re-election bid to Republican challenger Nicole Malliotakis following a fiercely contested campaign.
Rose, in a statement, admitted he couldn’t close the yawning 37,000-vote lead that Malliotakis had in the polling day automatic tally last week, with missing ballots now counted in the 11th district of the Congress that encompasses the island and southern Brooklyn. .
“As we continue to count each ballot and are on track to drastically reduce the gap from tens of thousands of votes to a 4 to 5 point margin, it is now clear that we will be below 50,” 1%, ”Rose said.
“I called to congratulate MP-elect Malliotakis on her victory and concede the race. I promise every resident of the 11th Congressional District that we will ensure a smooth transition.
Rose, an Afghan war veteran and army reservist, came out of nowhere in 2018 to upset outgoing GOP Representative Dan Donovan in the Blue Wave midterm election.
But President Trump was on the ballot this time around and punched former Vice President Joe Biden at the top of the ticket in the Republican-leaning neighborhood, aiding the Malliotakis and injuring Rose. The freshman Democrat was also accused of voting to impeach Trump.
Malliotakis, a popular state lawmaker first elected in 2010, garnered two-thirds of the vote in the district while she was a Republican candidate for mayor in 2017.
She has effectively linked Rose to her fellow Democrats who have called for the police to be defounded and approved for state law eliminating cash bail for many felony defendants. The woman in the Assembly was supported by the PBA and a coalition of law enforcement unions.
The GOP challenger also hammered Rose for participating in a march on anti-police brutality and Black Lives Matter on Staten Island after George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis. Some of the protesters carried anti-cop and “Defund the police” signs.
“Our city and our country are at a crossroads. Far too many Americans feel invisible, unheard or even betrayed by those charged with guiding us through these difficult times. All of us in public life have a responsibility to try to heal divisions and restore faith and trust in one another. I know we can summon that spirit because we’ve done it before, ”Rose said.
“I am extremely proud of everything we have accomplished over the past two years, including, but not limited to: ongoing funding of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund, making real and meaningful progress to tackle the opioid epidemic, securing millions of people to improve our commutes, implementing split tolls to get thousands of cars off highways at no cost to commuters, and reducing paperwork to finally start commuting. construction of the east coast dike.
“Representing this neighborhood has been the honor of my life. … I love Staten Island and Brooklyn. It is our house. Whatever challenges we face, I will be on the front lines with you, fighting to make this city and this country a better, safer and more united place. “
Rose and Malliotakis clubbed each other with millions of dollars in attack ads amplified by outside groups. Rose called Malliotakis a fraud and the Assemblywoman criticized the congressman for calling him a radical left and a clone of Mayor Bill de Blasio.
For his part, Malliotakis, who declared victory on election night, accepted Rose’s concession as late. She was already in DC on Thursday to get the lay of the land.
“This afternoon I received a phone call from Congressman Max Rose to concede the election. I’m currently in Washington, DC, joining new members from both sides for an orientation, ”Malliotakis said in a statement.
“I want to thank everyone who made this relentless victory a reality. I also want all voters in the 11th Congressional District to know that I will continue my fight for safe streets, to curb taxes, rebuild our economy, and preserve the American Dream from the explosion of socialism for generations to come.
“Just as we recovered and rebuilt from Hurricane Sandy, we will overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and make Staten Island and Brooklyn safer, stronger and more resilient. Rest assured that I will fight for the principles I adopted during the election campaign and the issues that benefit my constituents.
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