In 2010, Malliotakis won the election to represent the 60th District in the New York State Assembly. She defeated two-term Democratic incumbent Janele Hyer-Spencer by a margin of 10 percentage points. Upon being elected to the Assembly, Malliotakis became the first Greek-American woman elected to office in New York State, the first Cuban-American woman elected to office in New York State, and the first person of Hispanic descent elected from Staten Island. As of January 2018, she was one of only two Republicans from the City of New York currently serving in the State Assembly, along with Michael Reilly. Malliotakis is Brooklyn's only Republican lawmaker. In October 2011, she submitted an amicus curiae brief in support of an American Automobile Association lawsuit against the Port Authority in federal court, arguing that recent toll increases were illegal. She successfully brought an Article 78 proceeding in New York State Supreme Court to get the Port Authority to disclose the results of an economic impact study regarding the effect the toll increases had had on business at New York Container Terminal. Malliotakis was re-elected in 2012 with 61% of the vote and again in 2014 with 73% of the vote in both Brooklyn and Staten Island. In 2013, Malliotakis was recognized as a rising star. After Rep. Michael Grimm resigned at the end of 2014, she was mentioned as a top contender for his seat before deciding against a run. Malliotakis has made elder rights a hallmark of her tenure and has successfully fought to keep a senior center in Staten Island from being closed. Malliotakis held a series of forums with regard to the MTA Payroll Mobility Tax and its alleged negative impact on small businesses, non-profit organizations, and private schools. The New York state legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo subsequently enacted significant repeals. She has fought for relief from the September 2011 toll increase on Port Authority bridges, calling for divestment of costly non-essential real estate holdings and highlighting mismanaged contributions to community organizations. During her first year in the Assembly, Malliotakis received numerous awards and recognition, including being named a 'rising star' by Capitol News, Home Reporter News, the Hispanic Coalition of New York, and the Greek America Foundation. She has also been named a 'top ranking pro jobs supporter' by The Business Council of New York State.
2017 New York City mayoral election
On April 25, 2017, she filed as a candidate for Mayor of New York City in the 2017 mayoral election under the Republican Party. She went on to win the Republican nomination unopposed after businessman Paul Massey dropped out in June over money concerns. Although Malliotakis did not win the election, she garnered 70% of the vote in her home borough of Staten Island. On November 7, 2017, Malliotakis lost the mayoral election to Democratic MayorBill de Blasio.
Political positions
Malliotakis voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election and opposes the sanctuary city status, for undocumented immigrants, of New York City. She opposed giving drivers' licenses to undocumented immigrants. She does not support repealing Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion but has voted against taxpayer funded abortions and against the late term abortion bill passed by New York state. She does not identify as pro-life or pro-choice, saying "it's not black or white, I think there's a lot of things that go into a decision of that magnitude.” After originally opposing same-sex marriage, Malliotakis said she regretted that decision and voted to support adoptions by same-sex parents and to protect estate rights for married same-sex couples. She voted against a bill relating to bathroom rights for transgender people. She opposed raising fees on plastic bags in New York and supports reducing bridge tolls. She proposed a plan to cut property taxes for seniors and to limit increases on property taxes. When running for mayor, she argued that these reforms in property taxes would mean the wealthy would pay a fair share while the poorer residents would get tax relief.
