House Democrats by now are nearly unanimous in their support of impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.

But Congressman Max Rose is holding out.

 

Rose represents a swing district, the 11th Congressional District, which encompasses Staten Island and parts of south Brooklyn.

 

It's a district that Trump won by 10 points. Rose has positioned himself as a moderate Democrat with a bipartisan approach, and has been restrained in criticizing the president.

Rose issued a carefully worded statement Friday that called this week's developments deeply alarming. But he also said Congress must proceed in a deliberate and responsible manner.

The statement reads, "I will not operate on any false timeline when our national security is at stake ... Under no circumstances will I allow politics to influence my decision regarding this matter."

"Really I think the congressman needs to clarify his position," said Brendan Lantry, the chairman of Staten Island Republican Party.

Republican leaders say Rose is trying to have it both ways.

"I think he's trying to do a little bit of a dance…to try to appease the left flank of his party, while at the same time recognizing that Staten Island is a Republican borough," Lantry said. "We voted for the president overwhelmingly. We vote for Republican elected officials island-wide constantly."

But if he's hoping not to alienate moderate and conservative-leaning voters, Rose could also lose support from the other side of the political spectrum.

"I think Congressman Max Rose's statements have been vague," said Julienne Verdi.

Verdi founded the social-justice group Move Forward Staten Island. She says the latest allegations are so serious, they demand action, and dancing around the issue could backfire.

"You risk isolating your base, right?" Verdi said. "If you do not have those on the left come out on Election Day, we're going to see an issue."

Republican Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, whom enjoys wide name recognition from her run for mayor, is already campaigning hard for the seat.

Rose could also face a challenge from the left in the Democratic primary. So far there are no announced candidates, but there's still lots of time left before the primary next June.

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