Combat Vet Rose Won’t Concede Defeat

By SHANEL THOMPSON

Incumbent Democratic Congressman Rose Max on Thursday still refused to concede defeat to GOP’s apparent winner Nicole Malliotakis two days after the election.

Assemblywoman Malliotakis had reason to celebrate as the polls late Tuesday night showed she had won 58 percent of the ballots cast during early voting and on Election Day, while Rose netted just 42 percent, according to tallies from 95 percent of precincts.

“As a soldier who fought for our democracy. I believe every vote must be counted. I know my opponent will join me in ensuring that the Board of Elections must conduct a fair and transparent process that demonstrates the strength of our democracy, not undermines it,” Rose said in a statement Tuesday night.

Rose, an army veteran and former non-profit healthcare executive who served as an active duty officer in Afghanistan
from 2012-2013 and earned a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantry Badge, is not accustomed to waving the white flag. He is Ranger-qualified and continues to serve in the National Guard and is the first post-9/11 combat veteran to represent New York City.

Following his Army service, Max worked as Director of Public Engagement and Special Assistant to the late Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson
Before being elected to Congress, Max was the Chief of Staff for Brightpoint Health, a non-profit healthcare organization that has effectively provided care and responded to the needs of underserved New Yorkers for more than 25 years

Malliotakis has been a member of the New York State Assembly since 2010 where she is currently the only Republican woman and Hispanic Republican in the legislature. She was the 2017 Republican nominee for mayor of New York City which she lost to incumbent Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“I need to thank President Trump for his strong support and endorsement,” Malliotakis said in a victory speech late Tuesday. “Today, Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn sent a loud and clear message. And that message will resonate from the halls of City Hall to the halls of Congress.”

On Thursday at 2:47pm the Associated Press reported that 95 percent of the votes were counted and Malliotakis led by 37,000 votes; the remaining 41,000 absentee votes were scheduled to be counted on Monday.