Rep. Tom Suozzi To Run For Governor

NEW YORK — U.S. Representative Tom Suozzi, D—Glen Cove, is running for governor of New York, he announced on Monday.

"I believe this is the job I was made for," Suozzi told reporters.

Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District, which includes parts of eastern Queens, as well as all or parts of Great Neck, Port Washington, Glen Cove, Oyster Bay, Plainview, Hicksville, Bethpage, Old Westbury, Huntington, Northport, Kings Park, Commack and Melville.

Suozzi, 59, said he is a "common-sense Democrat," The Washington Post reported.

"I don’t believe it’s about going to the far left or to the far right; it’s about trying to find the answers to the problems that we face," Suozzi said, according to The Washington Post.

The Democratic primary for governor took a turn when former Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned in August amid accusations of sexual harassment. At least 11 women were sexually harassed by Cuomo, an investigation by Attorney General Letitia James' office found.

Suozzi is set to run against James for governor, in addition to incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul, who assumed the position after Cuomo's resignation, the New York Times reported. City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams has also declared for the 2022 race, according to NY Daily News.

New York City Mayor-Elect Eric Adams offered Suozzi an opportunity to be deputy mayor, but Suozzi declined, opting for the gubernatorial bid instead, NBC 4 New York reported.

Suozzi is a two-term U.S. congressman whose previous political experience includes stints as Nassau County executive from 2002 to 2009 and mayor of Glen Cove from 1994 to 2001. He ran for governor in 2006 but lost to Eliot Spitzer in the primary.