Staten Island Advance What’s next for Malliotakis? A wave of speculation

While Republican Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis hosted a thank-you brunch for her 2017 mayoral campaign staff, the focus shifted quickly to her political aspirations.

About 500 supporters and officials attended the ceremony at the Excelsior Grand in New Dorp on Sunday.

“I’ve got to share a secret with all of you and I’m sure we’ll just keep it in this room here,” said Ed Cox, chair of the Republican State Committee. “I’ve had conversations with Nicole about her future and what it should be and we talked about what a great candidate she was and here’s my conclusion: She’s a real conservative.”

The hints about her political ambition from speakers at the event didn’t go unnoticed.

“I think now they’re expecting me to announce something,” Malliotakis said when she addressed the crowd.

According to an article in the New York Post, Malliotakis has considered running for at least four other political offices: Staten Island borough president, lieutenant governor, Congress, and even challenging Kristin Gillibrand for her seat in the U.S. Senate.

“In six months, with a quarter of the money, we wound up, we got everyone to focus on her as an up and coming star,” said Leticia Remauro, campaign manager for Malliotakis’ mayoral bid, adding, “What is the big question on everyone’s mind? What is Nicole going to do next.”

Other officials offered praise as well.

“I came here today to say thanks to Nicole Malliotakis for giving us voice in the city of New York,” said Michael Long, chair of New York’s Conservative Party. “She understood what was wrong with the city of New York and she spoke fearlessly against this mayor.”

Among the political luminaries in the room were former GOP Reps. Vito Fossella Jr. and Michael Grimm, Deputy Borough President Ed Burke, and Jerry Kassar, chairman of Brooklyn’s Conservative Party.

Malliotakis said that despite the encouragement she’s received, she’s focused on her current role in the state Assembly, citing issues that she feels she can have an impact on such as congestion pricing, the city’s homelessness crisis and the MTA’s crumbling infrastructure.

“It’s flattering that so many of my constituents and supporters make comments on what I should do next,” Malliotakis told the Advance. “I’m really focused locally to ensure the people of Staten Island and Brooklyn receive the best representation possible. It’s what I’m focusing on for the foreseeable future.”

Still, she left the door open for a future run.

“If an opportunity were to arise where I could better serve my constituents and I can better implement change,” Malliotakis. “I certainly am open to that.”