Malliotakis addresses rumors that she’s eyeing Grimm’s seat
Republican Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis is looking at running for embattled U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm’s seat if Grimm’s political career can’t survive in the wake of the 20-count indictment leveled against him Monday by the Justice Department, according to a report in the New York Post.
The Post reported that Malliotakis (R-C-Bay Ridge-Staten Island), a rising star in GOP politics, is preparing for a run should she be called upon by Republican Party leaders to enter the race to save the day for the party, which is desperately trying to hold onto the congressional seat.
Grimm, who represents the 11th Congressional District, is the only Republican member of the New York City congressional delegation and party leaders are trying to keep the Staten Island-Brooklyn seat in GOP hands. Grimm is running for re-election in November and is facing a challenge from former councilman Domenic Recchia. Under one scenario that has been considered, Grimm would be nominated for a judgeship, a move that would pave the way for him to be removed from the congressional ballot, since New York State law prohibits a candidate from running for two different elective offices simultaneously. After Grimm is off the ballot, the GOP would substitute Malliotakis’s name there, according to reports.