By GreekNewsUSA
Long Island Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., announced Monday that he will seek the Democratic nomination for Governor, joining an already crowded field of Democratic candidates.
During a virtual press conference, Suozzi, who has represented NY’s 3rd Congressional District since 2017, said he has “the track record, common-sense approach to governing, and bold new vision to get it done. I can do it, because I’ve done it “.
Calling himself a “common-sense Democrat”, he said that he will “work with anybody to actually solve problems and get things done”. “I don’t believe it’s about going to the far left or the far right, it’s about trying to find the answers to the problems we face”, Suozzi noted, adding that “it’s not about being politically correct. It’s about doing the correct thing to actually help people”.
“Everything I’ve done has prepared me for this particular job at this particular time and I have a clear rationale to distinguish myself from the other candidates. I feel like this whole left, right extremist thing in our country is killing our country and it’s killing our state”, the former Nassau County Executive stated.
Over the weekend Suozzi publicly turned down a job offer from New York City Mayor-Elect Eric Adams to join his administration as deputy mayor. “I will do everything I can to help my friend Mayor-elect @ericadamsfornyc & the people of NYC succeed. After discussing it with my family, I believe the best way for me to help him and NYC is in elected office,” he tweeted on Saturday.
The Democratic primary is in June.
Incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams have already announced they are running as well. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has also indicated he may run for Governor after he leaves office at the end of the year.
Suozzi is the 18th Democrat in the House to announce that is not seeking re-election in the 2022 midterms. “I’m going to do everything I can to make sure my congressional seat goes to another common sense Democrat,” he said.
A former Glen Cove mayor (1994-2001) and Nassau County Executive (2002 to 2009), he first ran for Governor in 2006, losing the Democratic nomination to Elliot Spitzer.
