Governor Hochul and Letitia James absent from Tom Suozzi’s campaign launch on Long Island

Long Island Representative Declines Hochul and James’ Re-election Campaign Invitation

A key figure in Long Island’s House of Representatives has turned down an invitation from Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James to kick off their re-election efforts, as reported.

Representative Tom Suozzi received the invitation for a February 7 event that included many fellow Democratic politicians and retired officials. The absence of these two prominent state figures raised some eyebrows among political insiders, particularly since state Auditor Tom DiNapoli was notably included.

“That’s just typical Tom. Maybe he’ll end up putting Bruce Blakeman in there,” quipped a political source, referring to Nassau County Executive Blakeman, who is a Republican opponent of Hochul.

Blakeman’s campaign suggested that Suozzi is likely aware of Hochul’s lack of popularity in New York’s 3rd Congressional District, which encompasses Nassau County and portions of Queens.

“Tom Suozzi understands that Kathy Hochul’s policies—high taxes and a pro-criminal stance—are harmful and making New York unaffordable and unsafe. This is driving jobs and families away,” stated Madison Spanodemos, spokesperson for the Blakeman campaign.

Joseph Cairo, the Nassau Republican Party Chairman, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Suozzi doesn’t welcome Hochul in his district.

“Rep. Tom Suozzi has confirmed what voters already think: Kathy Hochul is so unpopular that even fellow Democrats avoid her when she shows up,” Cairo remarked.

He described the omission of the governor from the invitation as the only reasonable explanation for why Suozzi included other Democratic figures.

Suozzi and state Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs, who has close ties to both Suozzi and Hochul, dismissed concerns over the omission, arguing it wasn’t significant.

Jacobs mentioned that the invitation was standard and featured only local officials from Long Island. He pointed out that DiNapoli was included because he hails from Nassau County.

He added that it’s unrealistic for Hochul to attend every local campaign launch

“The governor genuinely supports Tom. All the governors have his back, and Tom reciprocates,” he affirmed, also acknowledging James, who is running for re-election this fall.