As Rose Gets Set to Take Office, He Hires District Director

Preparing to take office in early January, Democratic U.S. Rep.-elect Max Rose is busy planning an inauguration ceremony, familiarizing himself with the U.S. Capitol, poring over resumes and hiring staffers to work in his two district offices.

Invitations are going out to political players, community leaders and some lucky everyday citizens in the 11th Congressional District (C.D.) to attend an Inauguration Day Ceremony on Sat., Jan. 5, at the Saint George Theater on Staten Island at 1 p.m.

Rose defeated Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan in the Nov. 6 election, becoming the first Democrat to capture the congressional seat in 10 years. He will be part of the new Democratic majority in the House when the 116th Congress goes into session in January.

The 11th C.D. takes in several neighborhoods in Southwest Brooklyn, including Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst and Gravesend, as well as the entire borough of Staten Island.

On Thursday, Rose announced that he had hired his campaign manager, Kevin Elkins, to serve as his district director.

“When the House is in session, and I am down in Washington D.C., it is critical for me to have someone back home who I can trust to serve as my representative and handle everything and anything on my behalf. There is no one more qualified for that than Kevin Elkins,” Rose said in a statement.

Elkins “knows the issues and everyone in the community,” according to Rose, who predicted that he will be “a phenomenal district director.”

Prior to his role as Rose’s campaign manager, Elkins served as Staten Island borough director for Comptroller Scott Stringer.

He was Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon’s communications director when McMahon ran for that office in 2015.

Elkins will likely work out of Rose’s Staten Island district office, according to sources.

Rose also plans to set up an office in the Brooklyn side of the district and is currently looking for a location, according to Jennifer Blatus, a campaign spokesperson.

Elkins said he is looking forward to his new role. “The congressman-elect is committed to fighting like hell for the issues we campaigned on, making the office, and himself, truly accessible to all constituents, and thinking creatively to solve problems beyond just introducing legislation. I am beyond excited and ready to get to work to make that vision a reality,” he said.