Two influential law enforcement and firefighter unions are throwing their support behind Long Island Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi as he seeks another term in Congress.
The Nassau County Police Benevolent Association and New York City’s Uniformed Firefighters Association have each endorsed Suozzi’s re-election campaign.
Suozzi is preparing for a competitive rematch with Republican Mike LiPetri, whom he narrowly defeated by 3 percentage points in 2024. The 3rd Congressional District covers portions of Nassau County, Queens and Suffolk County.
Nassau County PBA President Tom Shevlin said the union backed Suozzi two years ago because of the congressman’s efforts to work across party lines and his repeated opposition to defunding the police.
“We support candidates who are willing to support us even if that means going against their own party,” Shevlin said.
The endorsement comes as Republicans attempt to portray Suozzi as weak on crime and aligned with the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.
Suozzi said he was honored to receive the Nassau County PBA’s backing again, pointing to his long record of supporting police officers and advocating for the resources they need.
“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,” Suozzi told The Post.
SEE ALSO: Homeless Migrant Camp Sits Outside Mayfair’s Connaught Hotel
Bobby Eustace, the head of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, also praised Suozzi as a pragmatic lawmaker who puts constituents ahead of party politics.
“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,” Eustace said.
Republicans, meanwhile, are making Suozzi’s district a top target as they work to unseat him.
A Trump-aligned super PAC has committed nearly $8 million to LiPetri’s campaign. The former state assemblyman is seeking to defeat Suozzi in the closely watched congressional race.
The No Going Back PAC has reserved $5.7 million in television advertising and is spending an additional $2 million on mailers promoting LiPetri while attacking Suozzi.
Suozzi, a former Nassau County executive, is serving his second tenure in the House of Representatives.
He previously left Congress to run for New York governor in 2022, but lost the Democratic primary to incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Suozzi returned to the political stage in February 2024, winning a special election after former Republican Rep. George Santos was expelled from Congress. He later defeated LiPetri by a narrow margin in the November 2024 general election.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is expected to be the Republican nominee for governor and could perform strongly at the top of the ticket against Hochul, potentially boosting LiPetri’s chances in the congressional contest.
