In an interview that took place in June of 2018, congressman-elect Max Rose, D-NY, (then candidate) breaks down what compelled him to run for public office, making him the first ever post-September 11 combat veteran to run in New York City.

Rose's congressional seat, New York's 11th district, which covers all of Staten Island and parts of southern Brooklyn, was previously held by Republican Rep. Dan Donovan. However, on "Salon Talks" Rose refused to classify his district as Republican or Democrat.

"This is a district that votes for the person and not the party," Rose explained. "What we see here is this is winnable under any circumstances. You don't have to ride a blue wave. It could be a blue drizzle. It could be low turnout, high turnout, medium turnout. If you're actually truthful if you spend the time earning the trust of voters."

New York's 11th Congressional District voted for Donald Trump by almost 10 points in the 2016 presidential election, but Rose was flip the district this November.

Rose also called out politicians on both sides of the aisle for prioritizing their own selfish political careers over the needs of the American people.

"If you ran some significant democratic policy positions, investments in infrastructure, investments in our healthcare system so that we can lower overall costs while expanding coverage, supporting unions, doing something about rampant gun violence in a district like mine, there'd be resounding support for them," he said.