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.”