It’s not every day that a local state assembly candidate gets a medal from the sitting president of the United States, but that’s exactly what happened to Marko Kepi, who is running in next Tuesday’s Republican Primary for the 64th Assembly District seat covering Bay Ridge and Staten Island.
President Donald Trump bestowed the medal on Kepi for his years of service to the community and the country.
The letter that bestowed the award upon Kepi mentioned his service to St. Athanasius Church in Brooklyn, where he helped install a Statue of Mother Theresa by raising the money, hiring the contractors, and managing the construction. Additionally, Kepi raised over $1.6 million for the earthquake relief effort following the earthquake that struck Europe last November
He received a medal, which was ceremoniously hung around his neck by former Congressman Michael Grimm, who presented him with the award.
“This award shows without a doubt that Marko has the exact experience necessary to make for an excellent state Assemblyman. He has trained for years for this job, solving problems and helping constituents, under the great [former] State Senator Marty Golden, whose office was known for its excellent constituent services,” said Grimm.
Kepi said, an active U.S. Marine reservist, said his Marine Corps training has specially prepared him to handle the many challenges the country is facing, from civil unrest to a downturn in the economy because the Marines breeds leadership and that is exactly what is needed right now on all fronts.
“I am eternally honored and humbled to receive this recognition by President Trump and it only propels me to move forward and fight to return New York state to greatness,” said Kepi.
Kepi is running in the GOP Primary against Michael Tannousis for the seat, which is being vacated by Republican Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, who is running for Congress. The winner of the primary will face Democrat Brandon Patterson in one of the few areas of Brooklyn that has a strong two-party presence.
The primary is next Tuesday, June 23. Early voting is currently open until Sunday, June 21.
