Ex-cop and 9/11 first responder secures Dem nod in bid to unseat firebrand conservative

Michael DeCillis, a former New York Police Department officer, won a Democratic primary on Tuesday evening, securing his party’s nomination to take on incumbent Rep.Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y.The race is among many pivotal matchups set to determine the balance of power in the House of Representatives, where Republicans hold a slim majority.

Although New York Republicans have often found themselves the target of Democratic efforts to flip seats, DeCillis faces an uphill challenge in November.DeCillis has argued that congressional resistance to President Donald Trump is key to preventing executive overreach.NYC'S LONE HOUSE REPUBLICAN PLEDGES TO DEFEAT DEMOCRAT REDISTRICTING THREAT TO HER SEATMichael DeCillis, a former EMT, police officer and special education teacher, left, pictured alongside Rep.Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., right.

(DeCillis for Congress; Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)"He understands that our democracy is disappearing in real time," DeCillis’ campaign website reads."In the next Congress, Mike will fight to build guardrails to protect our rights and ensure the government serves everyone — not just billionaires."Throughout his campaign, DeCillis has touted his diverse background in public service and deep ties to the community in New York, pointing out that he is a fourth-generation Staten Islander and a third-generation union member."I’ve worked in EMS as a paramedic for over a decade, was a 9/11 first responder, helping firefighters at Ground Zero, I’ve walked the streets of New York City as a police officer and taught as a special education teacher in our public schools," DeCillis said in a campaign video.LAWMAKER DECRIES RISE IN ANTISEMITISM IN NYC, CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITYThe sun sets across midtown Manhattan, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty in New York City on April 26, 2026, as seen from Bayonne, New Jersey.(Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)DeCillis has run for the seat twice before — once in 2018 and in 202...