Ex-cop and 9/11 first responder secures Dem nod in bid to unseat firebrand conservative
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Yemisi Egbewole and Rich Zeoli analyze the political impact of the Iran deal on the upcoming midterm elections. While Rich Zeoli suggests the deal benefits Republicans by lowering gas and oil prices, Yemisi Egbewole raises concerns about the deal's aftershocks on food prices and the Democratic party's internal struggles. Trump's social media post celebrates the market's positive reaction.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!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 SEAT
Michael 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 ACCOUNTABILITY
The 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 2022. In both races, he dropped out before the general election.
Now in his third challenge, DeCillis is painting Malliotakis as a MAGA-aligned Republican, out of touch with the split voter demographic in the state, and calling her a "MAGA loyalist."
"President Trump and Republicans like Nicole Malliotakis are destroying democracy at home and diplomacy and security abroad," DeCillis said in a post to X.
IN THE WAKE OF MANHATTAN MASS SHOOTING, NYC LAWMAKER URGES NEW YORKERS TO REMAIN 'VIGILANT'
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., said Democrats should have to explain why they want transgender exhibits in the forthcoming Smithsonian women's history museum. (Allison Bailey/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
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Malliotakis last won reelection in 2024 with a 63.8% to 35.8% victory over Democratic challenger Andrea Morse, an attorney and small-business owner.
Having cleared the primary, DeCillis will face off against Malliotakis in the Nov. 3 general election.
Leo Briceno is a politics reporter for the congressional team at Fox News Digital. He was previously a reporter with World Magazine.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
