U.S. Congress New York 11th

Max is running for Congress in New York’s 11th Congressional District, representing Staten Island and South Brooklyn. He is the first post-9/11 combat veteran of the war in Afghanistan to seek office in New York City. A Staten Island resident, he lives in St. George with his wife, Leigh. Max is the former chief of staff for Brightpoint Health, a nonprofit health care organization that has responded effectively to the needs of underserved New Yorkers for over 25 years. There, he gained experience navigating complex issues revolving around communities and their health care. Max is a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. He served as an active duty officer in Afghanistan from 2012 to 2013 and earned a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantryman Badge. He continues his service today in the National Guard and is also Ranger qualified. After his military service, Max worked as director of public engagement and special assistant to the late Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson. There, he helped lead in the development of several nationally recognized programs aimed at restoring trust between communities and the criminal justice system. One such program, Begin Again, has allowed thousands of New Yorkers the chance to resolve outstanding low-level offenses without fear of arrest. Max received a B.A. in history from Wesleyan University and an M.S.C. in philosophy and public policy from the London School of Economics. He has also studied at Oxford University.