Suozzi’s bid to be NY governor inspires Republicans to try to flip his congressional seat to red
Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi, New York, is entering his party’s increasingly crowded 2022 primary to be governor.
On Monday, the centrist three-term Democrat representing a congressional district in the north shore of New York’s Long Island declared that he will run for governor instead of seeking reelection to Congress.
Suozzi repeated the phrase “I’m a common-sense Democrat who gets things done” repeatedly as he declared his candidacy to be governor at a news conference and during a campaign video.
“I will work with anyone. I will work with Democrats. I will work with Republicans. I will work with progressives. I will work with moderates. I will work with anyone to solve problems and get things done for the people I serve. He emphasized that he has a track record of doing this all my career.
In his video launch, the ex-mayor of Glen Cove, New York and former county executive for suburban Nassau County highlighted that “everything” in his career prepared him for this job.
However, Suozzi’s move will only encourage Republicans to flip his congressional District from blue to red in next years midterm election. Where the GOP needs to gain just five seats to regain its majority, Suozzi is listed on the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC’s) list of most vulnerable Democrats going into the 2022 midterms. There’s also an ‘exit’ list of Democrats who might not be seeking reelection.
“Tom Suozzi has made the smart decision to leave Congress and win in 2022. Camille Gallo, a spokeswoman for the NRCC, stated that Democrats will have to defend their seat and use precious resources to keep it.
Suozzi, who ran in New York for governor in 2006, will join a Democratic primary field which already includes Governor. Kathy Hochul, a former lieutenant governor who was elected the first female governor of the state in August. Hochul was elected governor in his place. Andrew Cuomo resigned amid multiple scandals including claims that he had sexually harassed more women than ten.
Hochul, a moderate who won key endorsements and has quickly built a large fund-raising war chest and is leading in the polls, is currently considered the clear front-runner in the Democratic gubernatorial race.
Letitia James, New York State Attorney General, is also in the race. Progressive Democrat Letitia James, who led the state investigation into Cuomo’s sexual harassment claims, is running to be the first Black female governor of the country.
Jumaane Wilkins, a New York City public advocate, is another candidate. The left-leaning candidate energized progressive voters in his 2018 campaign to be lieutenant governor. Bill de Blasio (term-limited New York City mayor) has been considering a run for gubernatorial office.
Suozzi pointed out his Democratic gubernatorial nominees and said, “I think when I comes to my executive experience, my ideology, it’s clear differences with other people running in this race.”
He took aim at New York’s tax rates and said that he thought the state’s property and income taxes were too high. He claimed that current levels were “stopping…people from coming here and bringing their businesses here.” We need to lower the income taxes, property taxes, and regulation. It must be more appealing for people to live in New York State.
Suozzi also highlights crime. In his campaign launch video, Suozzi highlighted that he was the Nassau County executive responsible for the lowest crime rates in Long Island’s history.
The announcer stated that crime is on the rise in New York and Tom would help to increase the number of cops and give judges the ability to prosecute violent offenders.
The video also highlighted an important issue for New Yorkers: “In Congress, Tom led efforts to repeal the cap state and local tax deductions that are devastating New York’s middle-class.”
New York is a strong blue state. Cuomo won the 2018 election by 23 points. President Biden has now carried the state by the same margin.
Rep. Rep. Andrew Giuliani is a former president Donald Trump’s son and is running for the GOP nomination along with Rob Astorino, a former Westchester County executive.
