Suzzi Backs Cuomo in Mayoral Primary
U.S. Representative Tom Suzzi, backing former Governor Andrew Cuomo in a crowded Democratic primary for mayor, expressed his stance by saying he didn’t want to “beat the socialists.”
Cuomo’s path to a political revival faces significant challenges, notably from liberal candidate Zoran Mamdani and members of the American democratic socialists.
Suzzi remarked, “I don’t want to beat the socialists,” during an interview with the Post.
Representing New York’s Third Congressional District, Suzzi previously supported Mayor Eric Adams in the 2021 election. At one point, his name even surfaced as a possible vice mayor candidate due to some discomfort in their alliance.
Now, things have shifted. Suzzi acknowledged he appreciated Adams and believed in having an incumbent, particularly given the crime reduction. Yet, he also pointed out the ongoing controversies surrounding Adams.
After facing federal corruption charges—which were eventually dismissed—Adams exited the Democratic primary race and is now running as an independent in the general election.
“New York City is up against significant challenges and needs a pragmatic leader with experience to effectively address them,” Suzzi noted.
He added his support for Cuomo, highlighting, “He’s not just talking about solutions; he’s implementing them—be it at the LGA, the Second Avenue Metro, or Moynihan Station.”
Interestingly, Suzzi was one of the last House members to urge Cuomo to resign in 2021 amid allegations of sexual misconduct, which Cuomo has denied.
While acknowledging Cuomo’s imperfections, Suzzi insisted, “No one is perfect. But it’s clear he is the optimal candidate for mayor.”
Cuomo expressed appreciation for the backing from lawmakers with early voting on the horizon, set to begin on Saturday, ahead of the primary on June 24th.
Cuomo praised Suzzi, stating, “I’ve known Tom for decades. He’s a capable leader who gets results. Our city needs more of this approach,” as he looks forward to collaborating to enhance safety and affordability.
Following the endorsement from Suzzi, Cuomo’s support continues to grow, with former mayor Mike Bloomberg also throwing his weight behind the former governor.
Additional backing for Cuomo comes from New York Congress members Richie Torres, Adriano Espaillat, and Queens Democratic Party chair Greg Meeks.
Mamdani, representing Astoria and West Queens, is gaining traction in polls and is currently seen as a frontrunner, backed by prominent democratic socialists like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Nidia Velázquez.
Suzzi’s district spans Northeast Queens and parts of Nassau County. He briefly left his House seat to pursue the governorship in 2022 but was defeated by Governor Kathy Hochul in the Democratic primary. Afterward, he reclaimed his House seat in a 2024 special election.
