Tom Suozzi gives one-word answer when asked if he’ll seek President Biden’s endorsement in House race
In a word: “no.”
Democrat Tom Suozzi said he won’t be seeking President Biden’s endorsement in a hotly contested House seat in a curt — giving a curt one-word response when asked about the possibility on Sunday.
Suozzi is facing Republican Mazi Pilp in the Feb. 13 special election to replace serial liar George Santos, who was ousted in Congress — with early voting set to kick off Saturday.
“No,” Suozzi said when asked if he would seek the president’s endorsement, while stumping at a Dim Sum meet-and-great at the Canton Manor on Northern Boulevard in Bayside.
“This is very much a local race. This is me versus MazI Pilip. And as far as the other statewide and national figures, that’s not what this race is about,” Suozzi said.
“I’m a Democrat. I support the Democrats … I’ll vote for Joe Biden. I’ll vote for the Democratic nominee.”
Suozzi, who previously held the seat, also gave a terse “no” when asked if fellow Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul would stump with him.
Suozzi sparred with Hochul in the 2022 gubernatorial primary, which Hochul won.
A recent Emerson College Pix 11 poll found both fellow Dems Biden and Hochul are unpopular in the Third Congressional district covering Nassau County and Eastern Queens.
Only one third of voters polled said they approve of Biden and 59% disapprove of the job he’s doing as president, while just a quarter of voters approve of the job Kathy Hochul is doing and 66% disapprove.
Read more of The Post’s coverage on the special election to replace George Santos:
- Mazi Pilip, Tom Suozzi stump on final day of early voting in race to replace George Santos in Congress
- Republican known for political upset predicts another shocker in Suozzi-Pilip race for George Santos’ seat
- Mazi Pilip warns voters not to buy Tom Suozzi’s moderate claims: ‘This is part of his game’
- Mazi Pilip scores police union backing ahead of tight House special election to replace George Santos
- Mazi Pilip, Tom Suozzi clash over abortion, border during first debate in race for George Santos’ House seat
Meanwhile, the Pilip campaign said it had not sought an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, the likely GOP nominee for the White House and the major force in the Republican Party though detested by Democrats in the battleground district.
Pilip has refused to even answer if she voted for Trump in the past, though she said she would support him as the 2024 GOP White House nominee.
“In regards to seeking Trump’s endorsement, Mazi is running on her own merits and we are confident that her message of secure borders, public safety, and restoring the SALT deduction is resonating with voters in CD-3,” said Pilip campaign spokesman Brian Devine.
The Asian vote could be a crucial swing vote in the district. Neighborhoods in the district that border Flushing — such as Bayside, Queens — have large Korean and Chinese population populations.
While Suozzi is keeping Biden and Hochul at a distance, he was thrilled Sunday to glad hand alongside Rep. Grace Meng — the first Asian American elected to Congress in New York — who represents a neighboring district covering central Queens including Flushing.
“Not could help me, she’s definitely helping me with the Asian voters. We’ve been doing all kinds of events together, dim sum parties. We did Korean barbecue,” Suozzi said.
Suozzi, speaking a few words in Chinese, stood on a chair in the restaurant and said, “This is a very important race. And people from all over the country will be looking at this race. And if I win this race, people are going to say what happened!?
“And I’m going to say look at the Chinese American and the Asian American community and what they did to bring a victory to CD3!” Suozzi said. “And whenever I have to think about what I should do to fight for the Chinese-American community, I just asked Grace Meng!”
Earlier Sunday morning, both Suozzi and Pilip spoke at the “Run for Their Lives” event at the Mid-Island Jewish Community Center in Plainview, appearing with Orna and Ronen Neutra, whose son, Omer, is being held hostage in Gaza.
Pilip also attended several campaign fundraisers Sunday, her campaign said.
