Seven Greek-Americans are running for Congress on Tuesday, the day of the Presidential election, hoping to win or keep their seat in the House of Representatives.
Voters will elect representatives from all 435 congressional districts across each of the 50 US states, as well as 6 non-voting delegates from the District of Columbia and the inhabited US territories.
Thirty-three out of the 100 seats in the US Senate will also be contested on Tuesday.
Greek-Americans running for Congress
All seven Greek-American candidates are running for the House, hoping to be elected and strengthen the Congressional Hellenic Caucus.
The Caucus plays a significant role in strengthening US-Greece and US-Cyprus relations, promoting Hellenic issues within American foreign policy, and supporting the interests of Greek Americans.
Nicole Malliotakis
Republican Nicole Malliotakis is serving as the US representative for New York’s 11th congressional district since 2021. Her constituency covers Staten Island and southern Brooklyn.
She is the daughter of immigrant parents; her father is from Greece and her mother is from Cuba, having left in 1959 following the rise of Fidel Castro. She was raised in the Greek Orthodox faith.
Malliotakis was elected to the US House of Representatives in November 2020, defeating an incumbent Democrat by more than 18,000 votes. She currently serves as Assistant Whip for the House Republican Conference and on the House Ways and Means Committee.
John Avlon
John Phillips Avlon, originally from Corfu and Samos, was a CNN journalist and political commentator running for the US House representative of New York’s 1st congressional district.
As the Democratic nominee, he is challenging Republican incumbent Nick LaLota in the district’s 2024 general election.
Avlon says that the US needs to build a broad patriotic coalition to defeat Donald Trump, defend our democracy, and restore the middle class with common-sense solutions.
“I’m running for Congress in New York’s First District because there is too much at stake for the country and community I love,” he stresses.
“Together, we can flip this seat and finally solve problems for Long Island families. We need to rebuild the middle class, protect women’s reproductive rights, invest in our local infrastructure and transportation, and combat climate change. This election is not a drill. Now’s the time for us all to stand up and get off the sidelines,” he adds.
Chris Pappas
Pappas has served as the US representative from New Hampshire’s 1st congressional district since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, Pappas previously served on the New Hampshire Executive Council from 2013 to 2019.
Pappas has a leading role in the Hellenic Caucus on Capitol Hill. He says he is focused on lowering costs for hardworking families, protecting Granite Staters’ personal freedoms including a woman’s right to choose, delivering for New Hampshire veterans, supporting small businesses, and defending critical programs like Social Security and Medicare.
Maggie Goodlander
In the 2nd District of New Hampshire, a candidate who is not very familiar to the general Greek-American public, but who revealed that she is of Greek origin, is making her appearance for the first time.
Maggie Goodlander, who has roots in Avdella near Grevena, Greece, in her interview with the newspaper Kathimerini stated that she intends to contribute to the deepening of Greek-American relations.
She began her career working as a foreign policy advisor in the United States Senate where she helped write landmark sanctions legislation and strengthen democracy around the world. She went on to serve as an intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve for over a decade.
Gus Bilirakis
In Florida, which was recently hit by devastating hurricanes, Republican Gus Bilirakis is a favorite to be reelected over Democrat Rock Aboujaoude Jr. in the 12th Congressional District.
As a second-generation Greek American Gus Bilirakis is deeply committed to enforcing the rule of law, defending freedoms and preserving the American dream for future generations.
Bilirakis has a leading role in the Hellenic Caucus on Capitol Hill.
Mike Haridopolos
Also in Florida, former state senator Mike Haridopolos, who was not known until recently to the Greek-American community outside of Florida, is battling for the 8th Congressional District. According media reports, Haridopoulos is the son of a Greek immigrant who served as an FBI agent. His opponent is Democrat Sandy Kennedy, who is not closely related to the well-known family.
Haridopolos is the Trump-endorsed conservative candidate for Congress. With a strong track record of proven leadership he says he is committed to bringing tested integrity and dedicated service to Washington, D.C. to represent Brevard, Indian River, and Orange Counties.
He adds he will fight to stop illegal immigration, restore our economy, and protect our national security. Mike will steadfastly work to protect the Indian River Lagoon and support NASA and America’s space program.
Dina Titus
In Nevada, Greek-American Dina Titus is running for re-election in the 1st District, against her Republican opponent, Mark Robertson.
Originally born in Georgia to parents of Greek descent and a family with a political background, Dina Titus has represented Nevada’s 1st Congressional District since 2013.
The district includes much of Las Vegas. The Greek American Congresswoman has an extensive political past, having previously represented Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives between 2009 and 2011, and prior to that, serving in the Nevada Senate between 1993 and 2009.
In a recent interview with Greek Reporter she spoke passionately about issues relating to Greece and Cyprus
