Republican Nicole Malliotakis wins New York primary to challenge Max Rose

New York Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis won the June 23 Republican primary in New York’s 11th District and will challenge Rep. Max Rose (D) in November.

Malliotakis, who has earned the support of President Trump and the GOP establishment, won with 70 percent of the vote, prevailing over Joseph Caldarera.

The race was called on Wednesday after a surge of mailed-in ballots delayed results.

Malliotakis unsuccessfully ran for New York City mayor in 2017, losing to Bill de Blasio (D).

She will face Rose in November, who was unopposed in his primary as he runs for a second term. Rose ousted then incumbent Rep. Daniel Donovan (R) in 2018 by over 6 points in a key swing district in the race for Congress.

President Trump won the Staten Island district in 2016 by 10 points even as Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton handily took the state.

Nonpartisan election handicapper The Cook Political Report rates the seat as a “toss up.”

New York’s primaries were originally scheduled for April 28, but were moved to June 23 because of the coronavirus pandemic. New York, like elsewhere around the country, has seen a surge in mailed-in ballots that have delayed results.