Republican State Sen. Marty Golden is a strong supporter of Donald Trump for president, Congressman Dan Donovan a little less so and Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis remains quiet on her pick for president.
That according to a KCP pol of the three GOP lawmakers, who represent Bay Ridge and various other parts of Southwestern Brooklyn. Like everywhere in the country, Trump’s candidacy presents some problems with many mainstream Republicans – all of whom have no love for Democrat Hillary Clinton, but also have serious issues with Trumps incendiary rhetoric and allegations of groping and acting inappropriately on several occasions with women.
“Marty (Golden) supports Trump and has said it at a number of events in the last few weeks,” said Golden’s Chief of Staff Jerry Kassar, who is himself an electorate of Trump through the Conservative Party. “He (Golden) was an actual delegate for Trump at the convention. He’s spoken about his support for Trump numerous times and he’s spoken to me about it a few times. I would consider Marty a very articulate and strong supporter of Donald Trump.”
Kassar said while Golden doesn’t agree with Trump on everything, he has known him as a New Yorker for many years, dating back to when Golden was in the City Council in 1997. “He (Golden) kind of feels he knows what he (Trump) is really about. He’s also a strong opponent of Hillary Clinton and Obama and thinks Hillary will only carry on his policies. So you have to look at the bigger picture.”
Donovan Spokesperson Jessica Proud said while Donovan supported Ohio Gov. John Kasich in the New York Republican Primary, he is now supporting Trump.
“While he (Donovan) has been critical of some of Trump’s comments and positions, he feels very strongly that we need a new direction for the country and we should be focused on issues that matter to people. We need to grow the economy, defeat ISIS and repeal disastrous Obamacare. He feels that Mrs. Clinton’s reckless homebrew server put American lives and security at risk and that disqualifies her for the presidency,” said Proud.
Malliotakis, who holds strong Republican values, was the Republican state director for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio’s failed run for president. Ever since Rubio has dropped out of the race, Malliotakis has been quiet about Trump. She did not return several calls or emails as to who she will be supporting in the Presidential contest.
While most of Brooklyn’s Republican political clubs support Trump, not all do. For example, the Brooklyn Young Republicans yesterday put out a glowing endorsement of Trump.
“As a supporter of Senator Cruz during the GOP primary from the day he announced to the day he dropped out, Donald J. Trump represents what Senator Cruz displays; the outsider presence that Washington D.C. badly needs. His extreme vetting of immigrants from the Middle East and his emphasis on border security, Mr. Trump is committed to defending the United States; unlike President Obama and his opponent, Hillary Clinton, in apologizing for the country.” said Treasurer of the Brooklyn Young Republicans, Vito Palmeri.
But the Brooklyn Young Republican club, not to be confused with the plural Brooklyn Young Republicans club, decided to not make an endorsement for President.
“We decided to only endorse Marty Golden, Dan Donovan, Nicole Malliotakis, Glenn Nocera (in the open 44rd Assembly District seat) and Bernita Williams (in the open 56th Assembly District Seat),” said Brooklyn Young Republican President Brandon Washington. “We’re not looking at the Presidential election right now.”
