#PBA backs Nicole Malliotakis over Max Rose in tight Staten Island race

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Pat Lynch, President of the Patrolman’s Benevolent Association with Nicole Malliotakis speaking at a press conference held outside One Police Plaza
Stefan Jeremiah

In another example of law-enforcement backing Republicans, the New York City Police Benevolent Association endorsed GOP congressional challenger Nicole Malliotakis over first-term Staten Island Democratic incumbent Rep. Max Rose in what is considered one of the most competitive House races in the country.

The nod for Malliotakis — a state assemblywoman — comes on the heels of the PBA’s backing of President Trump’s re-election bid. The PBA skews conservative but has historically steered clear of taking sides in presidential races.

During a press conference Monday outside NYPD headquarters, PBA president Patrick Lynch said the Democratic Party’s elected leaders in the city have turned “their backs” on law enforcement and ripped first-termer Rose for participating in a Black Lives Matter June protest rally on Staten Island.

“They decided peace on the streets is not necessary…..So why we’re here today is we need a strong voice. We need a voice in Congress that understands what it is like to live in the neighborhood. That understands what safety means for every citizen of this city,” Lynch said.

“We elect Nicole, we will absolutely have that in the good times and the bad. Malliotakis has always been true friend of the NYPD and all law enforcement. She has stood by the men and women of the NYPD during her five terms in state legislature and continues to do so today, when many elected officials like incumbent Congressman Max Rose have joined the anti-police mob.”

The 11th congressional district encompasses all of Staten Island and portions of southern Brooklyn. It is considered the most conservative, law-and-order-minded district in the city populated by many police officers.

Malliotakis has served in the state Assembly over the past decade and her district covering parts of Staten Island and Brooklyn overlaps with the congressional district.

For her part, Malliotakis thanked the NYPD for its backing and said, “I was taught by my parents to respect and honor NYPD officers because they were the best in the world. I continue to hold that belief today on both a personal level and as an elected official.

Meanwhile, the Rose campaign announced that he received the endorsement of the New York State Court Officers Association.

Unlike Lynch, COA president Dennis Quirk said that Rose, an Afghan war veteran, has worked with law enforcement.

“Max Rose risked his life overseas to keep the United States safe, and now he is fighting to keep us safe right here at home,” Quirk said.

“Now more than ever, we need elected officials who work with law enforcement to keep our communities safe—Max Rose has done that and more. He has secured millions of dollars for the NYPD to fight terrorists, took on his own party to demand changes to flawed New York State bail reforms, and made sure our 9/11 and COVID-19 first responders received the benefits they earned.” Quirk said.