Democrats Unite Behind Suozzi

DiNapoli Supporters Now Back Suozzi

By Zefy Christopoulos

For the first time in as long as most people can remember, Democrats from Nassau County to Albany to Washington, DC appear to be coming together in a cohesive effort to snatch the county seat away from the Republicans.

Thomas Suozzi, the victor of the Democratic Primary in the county executive race, with Tom DiNapoli, whom he ran against. Joining the show of unified support for Mr. Suozzi were State Democratic Chair Judith Hope, Legislator Lisanne Altman, Congressman Gary Ackerman, Senator Hillary Clinton, State Controller Carl McCall, Senator Chuck Schumer, County Legislature presiding officer Judith Jacobs and a host of other elected Democratic officials. Photo by Z.C.

On Monday, Oct. 1, Tom DiNapoli, and all those well-known Democrats from State Comptroller Carl McCall, Senators Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton, who supported Mr. DiNapoli in the primary race for county executive, stood behind the primary winner, Thomas Suozzi, declaring their support for his candidacy for Nassau County Executive in the upcoming November election. Stating that he earned the primary victory the old fashioned way, "he earned it," Senator Schumer boosted Mayor Suozzi's chances in November by leading a group of well-known Democrats in getting behind the Suozzi campaign.

The gathering of unified Democrats took place on the steps of the Supreme Court Building in Mineola, just a short walk away from the county seat. Nassau County Democratic Party chairman Larry Aronson said, "We are united behind Tom Suozzi and he will be elected Nassau County Executive in November. We are a new Democratic Party, just look at our numbers." Mr. Aronson referred to the 200 or so Democrats attending the event in a show of support for the Suozzi campaign. "Tom Suozzi made believers out of all of us. He worked 24/7, hard and tirelessly," said Sen. Schumer. The junior senator from New York, Hillary Clinton, echoed his sentiments.

State Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli, whom Suozzi defeated in the Sept. 25 primary that saw a record turnout of voters, emphasized the importance of unity to the Democrats. "I want to tell all my supporters to work for and support Tom Suozzi in his quest to be Nassau County Executive. I look forward to working with Tom. Unity includes all our Democratic candidates from town, judicial and the legislature to ensure a Democratic majority for change."

Mr. Suozzi said, "Without Tom DiNapoli here, we wouldn't have unity. I am proud to have him as my friend and colleague and I look forward to his help and advice. We have two objectives; to make sure Nassau County knows that the Democrats are united and to form Republicans for Suozzi. I ask everyone to join me to break the Republican machine."

Thomas Suozzi faces off against Republican Bruce Bent on Nov. 6.