The former three-term Democratic congressman admitted this week that he is avoiding being seen near President Biden while running for Congress to replace George Santos.
The 81-year-old president, who has struggled with persistently low approval ratings, made a stop in New York on Wednesday that did not include an appearance with Suozzi, who is running a close race against Republican candidate Maji Pilip (Nassau County). Member of the special election for the 3rd Congressional District.
“I can almost guarantee that the president will not come campaigning,” Suozzi said at a news conference. CNN interview on monday. “I don’t think it’s helpful, just like I don’t think Donald Trump is helpful to my enemies.”
“It’s a very tough seat,” added Suozzi, who represented the district, which includes Nassau County and parts of northern Queens, from 2017 to 2023.
“Democrats have been losing everything in Northeast Long Island and Queens for the past three years,” he said. “The Democratic brand is in trouble here, and we have to do a lot to overcome it.”
Suozzi acknowledged to the Post last week that “the progressive left of the Democratic Party is hurting Democrats across the country.”
The National Republican Congressional Committee, the campaign arm of House Republicans, said Suozzi’s voting record shows he has an even relationship with Biden, despite his efforts to distance himself from the president. insisted.
“Tom Suozzi may do his best to hide his friendship with Joe Biden, but the truth is that he voted for him 100% of his time in Congress,” said an NRCC spokesperson. Savannah Viard said in a statement.
“Joe Biden and Tom Suozzi are two sides of a rusty, unnecessary coin,” she added.
Biden, who is trailing former President Donald Trump in national and most battleground state polls for the 2024 general election, embarked on a three-stop fundraising tour of New York City on Wednesday.
Read more of the Post’s coverage of the special election to replace George Santos:
Mr. Suozzi has the support of 45% of registered voters in the 3rd Congressional District, based in Nassau County and eastern Queens, while Mr. Pilip has the support of 42%, according to a recent survey from Emerson College and PIX11. There is.
The special election will be held on February 13th, and early voting begins on February 3rd.
