A former NYPD officer and special education teacher is stepping into one of New York City's most closely watched political fights, launching a campaign to unseat the only Republican member of Congress representing any of the five boroughs. Mike DeCillis is the Democratic nominee challenging Rep. Nicole Malliotakis for New York's 11th Congressional District in 2026, a seat that covers all of Staten Island and part of southern Brooklyn, according to New York City Board of Elections.
DeCillis sat down with NY1 political anchor Errol Louis on Inside City Hall to talk about his bid, according to Spectrum News NY1. The conversation, which aired Monday, gave DeCillis a platform to introduce himself to voters ahead of a race against an incumbent who has held the seat since 2021.
A Career Split Between Policing and the Classroom
DeCillis brings an unusual resume to the campaign trail. Per the same NY1 report, he has worked as an NYPD officer and later as a special education teacher, careers that together represent more than three decades of public service.
That background puts him in front of voters in a district where Malliotakis, per the outlet's account, has built her tenure since first winning the seat in 2021. The station's report frames the district itself as the central prize: Congressional District 11 is described as the only congressional seat in New York City's five boroughs currently held by a Republican, as reported by Associated Press, a distinction that has made it a perennial target for Democrats and a point of pride for the GOP.
The Geography at Stake
The district's boundaries help explain why the race draws outsized attention relative to its size. Congressional District 11 includes all of Staten Island and part of southern Brooklyn, stitching together the city's most conservative borough with pockets of southern Brooklyn that have historically leaned more competitive.
For now, the details of DeCillis's platform, fundraising, and any endorsements remain outside what has been reported. What is clear is that a Democrat with deep roots in city institutions like the NYPD and public schools is positioning himself as the challenger in a contest that will test whether the GOP can hold its last remaining outpost in New York City's congressional delegation.
