Nicole Malliotakis: Career Timeline
Nicole Malliotakis's career has moved from public-affairs work through a decade in the New York State Assembly to a high-profile mayoral campaign and a flipped congressional seat. The timeline below traces that progression in chronological order, with citations to primary or strong secondary sources for each major moment.
Education and early career
Malliotakis earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Seton Hall University in 2001 and later an MBA from Wagner College in 2010 1. She began her career in government and public affairs, working as a community liaison for state senator John Marchi and then on Governor George Pataki's staff from 2004 to 2006, followed by a role in public affairs at Consolidated Edison 12. This experience grounded her in state policy and politics.
Elected to the State Assembly
Malliotakis was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2010, defeating a two-term Democratic incumbent in a Staten Island and Brooklyn district 34. The win made her one of a small number of Republicans in the Assembly and launched her career in elected office. She took office in 2011.
Assembly tenure
Over roughly a decade in the Assembly, Malliotakis represented the 60th district (2011 to 2012) and then the 64th district (2013 to 2021), building a record on elder rights, transit, tax relief, and, after October 2012, Hurricane Sandy recovery in her hard-hit district 35. She became a leading Staten Island and Brooklyn Republican voice during this period. Her Assembly work established her political base.
Rubio campaign
Malliotakis served as an aide on Senator Marco Rubio's 2016 presidential campaign, gaining national campaign experience 2. The role connected her to national Republican politics ahead of her own higher-profile candidacies. It was a notable step beyond her state work.
Candidate for mayor
In 2017, Malliotakis ran as the Republican nominee for mayor of New York City, winning the nomination unopposed after another candidate withdrew 6. She lost decisively citywide to incumbent Bill de Blasio but performed strongly in the Staten Island and Brooklyn areas that would become her congressional district 67. The campaign raised her profile significantly. It is detailed in the campaigns section of this series.
Elected to Congress
In 2020, Malliotakis ran for the U.S. House in New York's 11th District and defeated incumbent Democrat Max Rose, flipping the seat 64. She took office in January 2021, becoming part of New York City's congressional delegation as a Republican in its most competitive seat. The win elevated her to national office.
A turbulent start
Malliotakis's first weeks in Congress were eventful. In January 2021, she was appointed Assistant Minority Whip and to the Foreign Affairs and Transportation and Infrastructure committees and a coronavirus subcommittee 3. On January 6 and 7, 2021, she voted to object to certifying the electoral votes of Arizona and Pennsylvania, drawing significant protest, and on January 13 she voted against Trump's second impeachment 38. These votes, detailed in the controversies section of this series, defined her early tenure.
The infrastructure vote
In November 2021, Malliotakis was one of 13 House Republicans who voted with Democrats to pass the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a vote she has cited for delivering federal funding to her district 9. The vote distinguished her from most of her party and is detailed in the legislative section of this series. It reflected her willingness to break with her party on district priorities.
Re-election and the marriage vote
Malliotakis won re-election in 2022, defeating Max Rose in a rematch, and also voted that year for the Respect for Marriage Act, codifying federal recognition of same-sex marriage, after having opposed same-sex marriage as an assemblywoman 1011. The votes reflected both her electoral durability and an evolution on the issue. Her record is detailed in the policy and legislative sections of this series.
Ways and Means and re-election
In the 118th Congress, Malliotakis served on the Ways and Means Committee, focusing on tax policy, and won re-election to a third term in 2024 124. Her committee role positioned her to shape major tax legislation. Her continued tenure solidified her standing as NYC's lone Republican in Congress.
Tax law and notable votes
In 2025, as a Ways and Means member, Malliotakis helped shape tax legislation that quadrupled the SALT deduction and made other changes she has highlighted as benefiting her district 13. In 2025, she said she disagreed with President Trump's commutation of George Santos's sentence, and in April 2026, she was one of six Republicans who joined Democrats to grant Temporary Protected Status to Haitian immigrants, against Trump's effort to end it, notable instances of independence 1415. As of the latest verified information, she continues to represent New York's 11th District.
Summary of offices and roles held
New York State Assembly (Staten Island/Brooklyn): 2011 to 2020.
Republican nominee for Mayor of New York City: 2017 (lost).
U.S. House of Representatives (NY-11): January 2021 to present (re-elected 2022, 2024).
Committees: Ways and Means (current); previously Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Joint Economic Committee; Assistant Minority Whip (2021).