Republican congressional candidate Nicole Malliotakis succeeded in toppling first-term Democratic New York Rep. Max Rose in New York’s 11th congressional district.
The race had not yet been called in favor of the Republican challenger, but after eight days of counting ballots, Rose announced that he had called to offer his congratulations and concede to Malliotakis. (RELATED: ‘That’s The Whole Ad’: Max Rose Drops Anti-De Blasio Ad, Makes His Point In Just 6 Seconds)
“As we continue to count every ballot and are on track to dramatically narrow the gap by tens of thousands of votes to a 4-5% margin, it is now clear that we will fall short of 50.1%. I have called to congratulate @NMalliotakis on her win and concede the #NY11 race,” Rose tweeted Thursday.
As we continue to count every ballot and are on track to dramatically narrow the gap by tens of thousands of votes to a 4-5% margin, it is now clear that we will fall short of 50.1%. I have called to congratulate @NMalliotakis on her win and concede the #NY11 race.
My statement: pic.twitter.com/TztveEuW3z
— Max Rose (@MaxRose4NY) November 12, 2020
“Representing #NY11 has been the honor of my life. On behalf of Leigh, Miles and myself: thank you for this privilege. I love Staten Island and Brooklyn. This is our home. No matter the challenges we face, I will be fighting with you,” Rose added.
Representing #NY11 has been the honor of my life. On behalf of Leigh, Miles and myself: thank you for this privilege. I love Staten Island and Brooklyn. This is our home. No matter the challenges we face, I will be fighting with you.
— Max Rose (@MaxRose4NY) November 12, 2020
Malliotakis, who took a commanding lead on Election Day, declared victory that evening. She gave a speech thanking all those who had endorsed her, focusing on a number of law enforcement organizations.
The race hasn’t been called yet, but Republican @Nmalliotakis has a large lead and declared victory over Democrat @MaxRose4NY.
In her speech to supporters, she called out a major theme in the race: support of law enforcement. #NY1Politics
LIVE COVERAGE: https://t.co/fw13Kz8Cq7 pic.twitter.com/dnnz9VjLRB
— Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) November 4, 2020
Rose also spoke to supporters on Election Night, but he did not concede. Instead, he called for a full vote count before pivoting to talk about the fact that he had marched with Black Lives Matter over the summer.
“I want to speak to something more than just myself or Nicole, but my decision to march to honor George Floyd,” Rose began.
“If we are going to unite this country then we must listen when a community is hurting. Black parents worry a chance encounter could end with their baby boy or girl never coming home,” Rose continued.
He went on to acknowledge the pain and worry felt by the families of law enforcement before again addressing those who had chosen to protest.
“Young Staten Islanders marched to express their pain. And for that – they were called rioters and thugs on national television,” he said. “They were demonized for their faith in America’s capacity for change … their belief that peaceful protest is how you do it, and their hope that their hometown could be a part of that movement.”
Rose bested incumbent Republican Rep. Dan Donovan in 2018. Prior to Donovan’s election in 2015 — and through several redistricting maps — what is now New York’s 11th District was Republican from 2013 until Rose won in 2018. Before that, the last Republican to hold the seat was Ellsworth B. Buck. He was elected in 1944 to finish the term of Democratic Rep. James O’Leary, who died in office, and was never reelected.