BACKGROUND

       Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican candidate, is running against Bill de Blasio for mayor of New York City in the election of 2017. She is born in Staten Island, New York. Her father is from Greece and her mother is a Cuban exile during Castro's dictatorship. Both parents immigrated to Brooklyn, New York in search of the American Dream. Their hard work and dedicated lifestyle influenced Malliotakis' will to contribute to the community.
       Growing up in New York, Malliotakis was the first of her family to graduate from college, earning a B.A. from Steton Hall University and an M.B.A. from Wagner College. 
       Throughout her career, Malliotakis exposed corrupt practices of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, took the Port Authority to court for it's dishonesty and won, battled against constant MTA borrowing as well as Mayor de Blasio's harboring illegal immigrants who have been convicted of crimes, and fought to protect New Yorkers from spending an excessive amount of taxes.
       Malliotakis has gained recognition throughout the years which include, but are not limited to, special recognition at the 2011 Women of Achievement Awards by the Staten Island Advance and receiving the “Award of Gratitude” by the Order of AHEPA for her contributions to the Hellenic community.

Brandon Ponce as Nicole Malliotakis

" Make no mistake about it, this legislation signed by our mayor [Bill de Blasio] will lead to further deterioration of our quality of life. "

ISSUES

Jobs and the Economy

As the daughter of past entrepreneurs, Malliotakis understands the burdensome taxes that businesses face. She wants to :

• See the permitting process for new businesses streamlined and exempt smaller businesses from taxes.
• Reform the way fines and penalties are issued to give businesses a chance to correct minor violation.
• Invest in vocational training opportunities for those not attending college to obtain life skills, get off minimum wage, and to build their careers.

Crime and Quality of Life

• Under Bill de Blasio, crime rate greatly increased. Crimes include rape, felony and sex crimes, identity theft, dangerous weapon crimes, and felony criminal mischief. Human trafficking has gone up by 50%. Penalties for public urination and littering went down, which can negatively impact the environment and harm the community's safety.
• Malliotakis supports the modernization of the prison complex, Rikers Island, and to provide the accused of the right to speedy trial. 
• Opposes Bill de Blasio's plan to close Rikers Island and build jails across the five boroughs.

Education

• Unfortunately, the money spent on education does not reach classrooms. Consequently, educators have to spend their own money for school supplies.
• Malliotakis wants to reduce attention towards the central administration and allow the parents, teachers, principals, and school leaders to find common ground for student benefits, such as up-to-date textbooks.

Immigration

• As the daughter of immigrants, Malliotakis understands the need to fix the broken immigration system.
• Against the protection of illegal immigrants who have commit crimes.
• Bill de Blasio has approved the budget which protects undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes such as murder and rape.

Homelessness

• The homeless population has gone up by 40% this year, but Bill de Blasio has not taken enough action against it. He proposed the idea of building homeless shelters, but this only hides the issue.
• Malliotakis aims to help the homeless transition into the real world.
  
• She wants to address issues such as substance abuse, mental illness, domestic violence and unemployment to the homeless.
  

Taxes

• Malliotakis has fought against tax and fee increases over 300 times and supported tax cuts over 60 times.
• Bill de Blasio has increased taxes by 22%, but there has not been improvement in the community regarding homelessness, public transit, traffic, and litter.
• Rather than getting more money from the people, Malliotakis plans to use current funding to make changes.

Senior Citizens

• Aims to improve Access-A-Ride services, which provides transportation for those with disabilities.
• Wants to fund senior housing, which caters to senior citizens ages 50 and over.
  

Veterans

The fund for veterans under Bill de Blasio is not enough. Malliotakis' goal is :

• To expand the property tax exemption for veterans.
• To award a portion of city contracts to veteran-owned businesses.
• Make homelessness and suicide among veterans a concern.

Transportation

• Against subway overcrowding and service delays.
• Wants to restore bus service to Brooklyn and Staten Island.
  
• Wants to upgrade subway signals, which cause 70,000 delays each month.
  

Animal Rights

• Improve shelter conditions.
• Place more attention onto finding homes for stray animals.
• Eliminate euthanasia, the painless killing of patients suffering from incurable and painful disease.

LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer)

Malliotakis aims to make a difference in the LGBTQ community by :

• Expanding adoption rights to same-sex couples.
• Banning sexual conversion therapy for those under 18.

Additionally, she is against Trump's decision to prohibit the transgender population from serving in the military.

Nicole Malliotakis Media:

WHERE AND WHEN TO VOTE 

SAVE THE DATE - November 6th, 2017
At Francis Lewis High School, you will be able to place your vote on the candidate you support. Vote for Nicole Malliotakis!
​Debates will take place in the Francis Lewis High School auditorium on November 3rd, 2017.