North Shore Dems Hopes Revive in County Exec Race

Former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi wants his old job back.

Suozzi, who served as Nassau County Executive from 2002-2010, announced Wednesday morning on his new campaign website that he will once again run for Nassau’s top post. Suozzi ran for a third term in 2009 but lost a close election to current Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano. The former mayor of Glen Cove also ran for New York Governor in 2006 but lost a Democratic primary to Eliot Spitzer.

Suozzi, 50, in his statement pledged to restore fiscal stability, end “irresponsible borrowing and skyrocketing debt,” create jobs and reduce crime in Nassau. 
Suozzi will officially announce his candidacy at a noon press conference with Nassau County Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs in Mineola.

Suozzi also released a video on his website that discusses his plan to make Nassau County an “ideal suburb.”

Suozzi will face off in a Democratic primary this September for the right to face Mangano this November, most likely against Democrat Adam Haber, a Roslyn school board member. North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman has also established a campaign committee to explore a run for Nassau County executive. Nassau County Legis. Dave Denenberg, D-Merrick, has said he would run for county executive if Suozzi did not.

Leg. Wayne Wink, D-Roslyn, deemed the contenders eyeing the race “an embarrassment of riches."

“According to recent media reports, the Democratic Party has, at last count, three individuals considering a run for Nassau County Executive,” Wink said. “I know each of them extremely well, and I am excited at the prospect that any one of them can, and one will, unseat Ed Mangano this November.”

He added, “I believe that in the weeks to come, the party and the candidates will coalesce around one outstanding choice and the party can unify to take back Nassau County from the Republican machine, for the benefit of the residents and taxpayers of the county.”

Adina Genn contributed to the reporting.