Key unions representing Nassau County police officers and New York City firefighters are backing Long Island Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi’s re-election bid.
The Nassau County Police Benevolent Association and the NYC Uniformed Firefighters Association have both endorsed Suozzi.
Suozzi is facing a tough rematch from Republican Mike Lipetri, whom he defeated by just 3 percentage points in 2024 in the Third House District that includes parts of Nassau County, Queens and Suffolk.
“We supported him two years ago and he has been working hard to work with both sides of the aisle. He backs the blue and states all the time on the Congress floor that he absolutely rejects the defunding the police movement,” said Nassau County Police Benevolent Association president Tom Shevlin.
“We support candidates who are willing to support us even if that means going against their own party,” added the Nassau PBA leader.
Suozzi welcomed the endorsement as Republicans seek to paint him as soft on crime and tie him to the leftists in the Democratic Party.
“I am proud to once again have the endorsement of the Nassau County PBA. I have spent my career supporting law enforcement and making sure our officers have the resources they need to keep us safe,” Suozzi told The Post.
“As my opponent attacks and distorts my record, the men and women who protect us day and night know where I stand, and I am honored to have their trust and support.”
The head of the Uniformed Firefighters Association also lauded Suozzi as a “common sense” congressman.
“In his over thirty years as a public servant, Tom Suozzi has continued to demonstrate that he sees beyond party lines and works across the aisle to do what’s best for his constituents,” said UFT president Bobby Eustace.
Republicans. meanwhile, have targeted the Suozzi seat.
A Trump-aligned Super PAC is spending nearly $8 million to help LiPetri, a former state assemblyman, in his bid to topple Suozzi.
The No Going Back PAC has bought $5.7 million in TV ads in recent weeks and another $2 million in mailings touting Lipetri and slamming Suozzi.
Suozzi is a former Nassau County executive who is serving his second stint in Congress.
He gave up the seat and ran for governor in 2022, losing in the Democratic primary to incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Suozzi ran again in February 2024, winning a special election after serial liar and ex-Republican Rep. George Santos was expelled from office. He then narrowly defeated Lipetri in November 2024.
Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, is the Republican candidate for governor who is expected to run well at the top of the ticket against Hochul, possibly aiding Lipetri.
Read the full article here
