Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani endorses Mike Tannousis for State Assembly

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Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani endorsed Republican Michael Tannousis to succeed Nicole Malliotakis in the New York State Assembly. (Staten Island Advance)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani on Tuesday endorsed former Richmond County Assistant District Attorney Michael Tannousis in the Republican Party primary race for Nicole Malliotakis’ seat in the State Assembly.

Tannousis has previously received support from Malliotakis, local Republican elected officials, the Island Republican Party’s executive committee, the Brooklyn Republican Party’s executive committee, Donald Trump Jr., local law enforcement unions, as well as Brooklyn and Staten Island’s Conservative Parties over his GOP primary rival Marko Kepi.

"Staten Island and Bay Ridge Republicans have a clear choice for State Assembly in Michael Tannousis,” said Giuliani. “Michael actually put violent criminals behind bars and knows what it takes to keep our communities safe. He will always have the backs of our men and women in uniform, and that is why I am proud to endorse him to be the next assemblyman for Staten Island and Bay Ridge.”

Giuliani’s endorsement comes only two weeks before the Republican Primary, which will be held on June 23.

Kepi, who has close ties to former Rep. Michael Grimm, downplayed the significance of the endorsement in the race and linked it to the Republican establishment.

“I have nothing but love for Mayor Giuliani which is why I worked so hard for his presidential campaign and I respect that he finally agreed to endorse my opponent after being begged by the establishment for months because they don’t want to be embarrassed when they lose," Kepi said. "They should have backed this Marine with the experience to get the job done in Albany and to really fight back against all this liberal lunacy.”

Tannousis offered a gracious tone toward Giuliani’s endorsement.

“I am honored to receive the support of ‘America’s Mayor,’” said Tannousis. “As a kid growing up in Staten Island in the ‘90s, I knew Rudy was a champion for our city. He had fought corruption as a federal prosecutor and made our streets safe for us again.”

A Dongan Hills Republican and lifelong Staten Islander, Tannousis previously said he wanted to represent the 64th Assembly District to push back against policies enacted in the Democratically-controlled state legislature.