The Blunt Approach: Neal Kwatra on Representative Max Rose’s Chances Against GOP Challenger Nicole Malliotakis

Politics can be confusing. Opinions can change, and candidates are not always truthful. This is why researching and understanding who you are voting for is so important. Still, races often get messy and hard to follow, with candidates trading blows until the final bell. 

This is certainly the case in the feverish race between Rep. Max Rose and GOP State Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis in the most hotly contested congressional election in the city. 

Representative Max Rose: A Blunt Candidate 

Democrat Rose is seeking reelection after his first win in 2018 following nearly 30 years of Republican winners in a district that includes Staten Island and South Brooklyn. His straight-as-an-arrow, honest approach likely resonated with voters. 

“Blunt” is the best word to describe Rose. He is an aggressive, call-it-like-he-sees-it candidate who pulls no punches. An example: In one short campaign advertisement, he said, “Bill de Blasio is the worst mayor in the history of New York City.” In fact, that was the entire 15-second ad.  

De Blasio, a progressive mayor and fellow Democrat, has been the subject of a lot of criticism due to his views and ineffective policies. Neal Kwatra says Rose was smart to distance himself this way, adding that Rose has “a very identifiable anti-de Blasio brand as a part of who he is, which is a huge asset in a district like that, frankly.”

This affinity for speaking bluntly extends into his remarks regarding Malliotakis. He has referred to her as a “rubber stamp” for Republicans on major issues who supports the President and his policies. 

Rose also noted that Malliotakis said in 2017 she regretted voting for President Trump, but then changed her mind when he backed her. As Election Day nears, both candidates are slugging it out before voters decide whether they prefer Rose’s honesty to Trump’s support for Malliotakis.  

Regardless of your political beliefs, Kwatra says it best regarding Representative Rose. “He’s very visceral and, frankly, New Yorkers appreciate that in their politicians,” Kwatra says. If that bears out, Rose certainly has a fighting chance of retaining his seat in the House of Representatives. 

About Neal Kwatra:

Kwatra founded Metropolitan Public Strategies (MPS) in 2013 and has since been at the forefront of some of the most fiercely contested political and advocacy campaigns in New York and across the nation. Kwatra has fought to uphold his ideals with great tenacity and continues to expand the reach of MPS into the strategic management of nationally recognized grassroots and issue advocacy campaigns.