Massey drops out of mayoral race, clearing path for Malliotakis

Malliotakis likely challenger to de Blasio

June 28, 2017 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis now has the field to herself. Photo courtesy of Malliotakis’ campaign

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With millionaire real estate mogul Paul Massey’s abrupt departure from the mayoral race, Republican Nicole Malliotakis now appears to have a clear path to the GOP nomination to run against Democratic incumbent Mayor Bill de Blasio in November in what is sure to be one of the hottest races for City Hall in decades.

Malliotakis, a New York State assemblymember representing a district that covers parts of Bay Ridge and Staten Island, would be the first female mayor in the city’s history if she wins in November.

The website rawdeal.com was the first to report the news on Wednesday that Massey was dropping out of the race to be New York City’s next mayor. Massey is the co-founder of the Massey Knakal real estate empire.

His departure means that Malliotakis, a Republican, won’t have to run against him in a GOP Primary in September and could turn her full attention on mounting a campaign against de Blasio in the general election in November.

Malliotakis said she was surprised by Massey’s sudden decision to leave the field. “We just had a debate last night,” she told the Brooklyn Eagle on Wednesday after learning of Massey’s departure from the race.

She expressed sympathy for her one-time rival. “I’m grateful to Paul for his ideas. He had his heart in the right place. He talked about the deterioration of the quality of life in the city under Bill de Blasio,” she told the Eagle.

Malliotakis said she is now preparing for a contest against de Blasio, who is running for his second term as mayor.

“I look forward to going head to head with him,” she said.

Malliotakis was first elected to the Assembly in 2010 and was re-elected in 2012, 2014 and 2016 by increasing margins each time.

In a statement he issued to announce he was dropping out, Massey said he did not have the kind of financial support it would take on the incumbent mayor.

“I am proud that I contributed to the debate on issues of importance to New Yorkers including education, housing and homelessness, and that I have provided real solutions for how to better our quality of life in regard to the ongoing transit crisis. This journey has been wonderful because of the great New Yorkers I’ve met and all of the things my team and I have learned,” Massey said in the statement.

During the campaign, Massey touted himself as a non-politician who would bring a common-sense approach to solving the city’s problems.

Malliotakis, whose campaign appeared to be gaining momentum even before Massey dropped out, was recently endorsed by U.S Rep. Dan Donovan, the only Republican in New York City’s congressional delegation.

“As our friend and neighbor, Nicole deeply understands the issues that matter to our community and she has a proven track record of fighting for them. Whether it’s her work to make government more efficient and accountable, her strong support of the NYPD or her ongoing efforts helping residents rebuild after Superstorm Sandy, Nicole is the kind of common-sense leader we desperately need in City Hall,” Donovan (R-C-Southwest Brooklyn-Staten Island) said in a statement.