Republican Mike LiPetri Gains Union Support in Tight House Race
In one of the most fiercely contested House races, Republican candidate Mike LiPetri is challenging incumbent Democrat Tom Suozzi, and he’s recently received significant backing from the International Federation of Driving Engineers Local 138. LiPetri, who has garnered support from President Donald Trump, views this endorsement as a potential game changer in his campaign.
“I think people are starting to understand what we represent. We genuinely back the hardworking individuals who are the backbone of our country,” LiPetri commented during an interview. This union, with its membership of about 1,500, provides LiPetri with a substantial boost as he gears up for a rematch against Suozzi, who reclaimed the suburban seat in 2024 after previously representing the district from 2017 to 2023.
Local officials, such as John Duffy, Business Manager of Local 138, have voiced their strong support, stating that “Washington needs leaders who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty.” With the midterm elections approaching, national Republicans are keenly focused on the district, which includes parts of Long Island and Queens, aiming to gain traction against Suozzi.
In the last election, Suozzi managed to hold his seat by a slim margin of just over four points, while LiPetri had a lead over him of three points prior to that. Currently, LiPetri faces competition from attorney Gregory Huck in the Republican primary on June 23. He’s regarded as a frontrunner, participating in the National Republican Congressional Committee’s candidate program.
“This seat could very well determine the future of the House majority,” LiPetri remarked. He added that both local and national leadership are fully committed to supporting his campaign.
LiPetri also suggested that Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman might positively influence Republican turnout in the area.
Looking ahead to the election, LiPetri aims to highlight differences with Suozzi on critical issues like immigration, transgender rights, and taxation. While Suozzi portrays himself as a moderate, LiPetri argues he has strayed from that stance, particularly with his decisions regarding immigration funding.
In a notable shift, Suozzi had previously supported a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security but later apologized for doing so, stating he couldn’t align it with his views on ICE’s actions. LiPetri criticized Suozzi for what he sees as a betrayal of law enforcement interests.
Furthermore, Suozzi’s votes against bills concerning K-12 sports and the creation of a women’s history museum have sparked debate. LiPetri insists that Suozzi’s positions reflect a broader inconsistency that voters will likely question.
Despite the challenges, LiPetri’s campaign has shown promising fundraising potential. His funds, however, are significantly lower than Suozzi’s, which stand at about $5.5 million compared to LiPetri’s approximately $727,000. Still, LiPetri believes that his campaign ranks among the top fundraisers for Republican challengers across the nation and expresses confidence in building momentum as election day approaches.
The Cook Political Report currently views this race as leaning Democratic. Responses from Suozzi’s campaign were sought but not available at the time of this report.
