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

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. 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.

Michael DeCillis. a formerNew YorkPolice 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 PresidentDonald Trumpis key to preventing executive overreach.

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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. ensure the government serves everyone — not just billionaires."

Throughout his campaign, DeCillis has touted his diverse background in public service. deep ties to the community in New York, pointing out that he is a fourth-generation Staten Islander and a third-generationunion member.

"I’ve worked in EMS as a paramedic for over a decade, was a 9/11 first responder, helping firefighters atGround Zero,I’ve walked the streets of New York City as a police officer. taught as a special education teacher in our public schools," DeCillis said ina campaign video.

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The sun sets across midtown Manhattan, the Empire State Building,. 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 thegeneral election.

Now in his third challenge, DeCillis is painting Malliotakis as a MAGA-aligned Republican, out of touch with the splitvoter demographicin the state,. calling her a "MAGA loyalist."

"President Trump. Republicans like Nicole Malliotakis are destroying democracy at home and diplomacy and security abroad," DeCillis said ina post to X.

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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)

Malliotakis last won reelection in 2024 with a 63.8% to 35.8% victory over Democratic challenger Andrea Morse. an attorney andsmall-business owner.

Having cleared the primary, DeCillis will face off against Malliotakis in theNov. 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.