Suozzi embraces Democratic Party as he launches reelection bid

Rep. Tom Suozzi isn’t shying away from the Democratic Party as he formally launches his reelection campaign for the 3rd Congressional District. He surrounded himself with fellow elected officials, candidates and party officials at his very well-attended campaign kick off event on Long Island Tuesday evening.

State Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs, who also leads the Nassau County Democratic Party, introduced Suozzi to the large crowd of supporters gathered at the Milleridge Inn in Jericho. “I have seen lots of races across the state – I have never seen a congressional race kickoff like this one,” Jacobs said. “We were just in Chicago for the (Democratic National) Convention, and this rivals it.” 

The campaign had supporters seated by neighborhood and region in the district, just as the DNC arranges delegates by state. Suozzi went around to acknowledge each region and their Democratic clubs who showed up.

Suozzi used a good portion of his time to call out current and former Democratic elected officials and candidates. He invited most on stage, including Democratic Assembly Members Gina Silliti, Sam Berger, Ed Braunstein and Charles Lavine, and Democratic state Senate candidates Kim Keiserman and Siela Bynoe. “I believe in bipartisanship, I believe in working together. That's a very fundamental part of who I am,” Suozzi said. “I'm also a Democrat, and I want to win these races.”

It’s a big difference compared to the kickoff for his February special election, which was held on the lawn of the private home of a registered Republican voter in the district without a single other Democratic elected official in attendance. “I was the only one running,” Suozzi told City & State of his special election. “Versus now, when there's people running above the ticket and below the ticket on me … we have to all work together and try to help each other.”

At the time, the special election to replace former Rep. George Santos was expected to be incredibly tight. Long Island, and specifically Nassau County where the race took place, had grown increasingly red, with Republicans picking up seats at all levels of government. Suozzi’s race against Republican Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip was the first battleground test for Democrats in 2024. And Suozzi wound up winning by a sizable margin, wider than public polling suggested would be the case.

While Suozzi is not taking his reelection for granted, he clearly seems more comfortable following his February victory, and he is ready to share his good fortune and campaign prowess with Democrats up and down the ballot in November. “I'm counting on all of you to work on this campaign, to work on other campaigns,” Suozzi told supporters. “And maybe if we get strong, we can help with the presidential campaign, (take) a trip down to Pennsylvania to help (Harris).”

Still, while Suozzi expressed confidence that moderation and bipartisanship will be the key to winning in November, interruptions to his event by two pro-Palestinian protesters served as a blunt reminder of the tension within the Democratic Party. “When will you call for a ceasefire, Tom?” the first of the two protesters demanded as she was loudly booed and one nearby supporter called her a terrorist. “Thank you very much for making your point, and we will listen to your point – come meet with my office any time,” Suozzi responded from the stage.