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Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi announced Monday at a virtual press conference that he is officially running for governor of New York in 2022.
The former mayor of Glen Cove and Nassau County executive now describes himself as a “common sense Democrat” representing parts of Queens and Long Island in Congress.
“I’m the only one with proven executive experience. I’ve got a record of doing this stuff and getting stuff done. And again, I’m a common sense Democrat. I don’t pander,” Suozzi said via Zoom.
“I think that people are concerned about COVID in the economy, they’re concerned about property taxes, they’re concerned about income taxes, they’re concerned about crime,” he said, adding he will be campaigning to prove that he can address these problems.
I am running for Governor of NY as a common sense Democrat who gets things done.
I have the track record, common sense approach to governing & bold new vision to get it done. I can do it, because I’ve done it! Please take a look at my video and share. https://t.co/0GiQIja1qr
— Tom Suozzi (@Tom_Suozzi) November 29, 2021
He has been compared to current Governor Kathy Hochul and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, but said he wants to run in the “Suozzi lane” rather than just continue their work.
“I’ll work with anybody. I’ll work with Democrats. I’ll work with Republicans. I’ll work with progressives. I’ll work with moderates. I’ll work with anybody to actually solve problems and get things done on behalf of the people that I serve,” Suozzi said in his campaign video. “I’ve got a proven record throughout my career of always doing that.”
Though his gubernatorial campaign will likely end his bid to retain his congressional seat in a purple district, Suozzi did not completely rule out becoming a candidate for Congress again.
He said he currently has about $3 million in his congressional account that he will likely be using in the race for governor.
One of the other challengers in the race, state Attorney General Letitia James, released a statement in response to his candidacy.
“We welcome Representative Tom Suozzi to the campaign. In a short time, there has been a groundswell of excitement and enthusiasm around Attorney General Letitia James’ historic candidacy because New [Yorkers] know we need a change maker who can break the status quo as our next governor, and the only person who can deliver that transformational change is Letitia James,” she wrote.
