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. He also ran for New York Governor in 2006 but lost a Democratic primary to Eliot Spitzer.
The 50 year old pledged in a statement to restore fiscal stability, end “irresponsible borrowing and skyrocketing debt,” create jobs and reduce crime in Nassau.
Five Towns Republican elected officials stood by their party's record and welcomed the challenge.
"Regardless of who emerges from the crowded Democrat primary field, voters know that County Executive Ed Mangano and the legislative majority that I'm proud to be part of haven't raised taxes in three years," said Legislator Howard Kopel (R-Lawrence). "We have cut Nassau's spending, reduced the size of the county workforce and consistently stood on the side of Nassau County's overtaxed homeowners. We expect that the voters will want us to continue to do more of the same."
Lawrence School Board Member Uri Kaufman echoed Kopel's remarks.
"We look forward to a spirited campaign," he said. "If Ed Mangano runs on his record, and Tom Suozzi runs on his, I think that Republicans — and indeed all residents of Nassau County — can look forward to four more years of responsible government and low taxes."
Ann Salpeter Schockett, president of the Nassau County Federation of Republican Women, suggested Suozzi's past as county executive will come back to hurt him.
"Nassau County, one of the most prominent counties in the United States, was left in a dismal condition after a huge tax increase and other costly measures at the inception of Mr. Suozzi’s administration," she said. "Under that administration came out-of-control spending projects and liberal union contracts that are hurting us now and that will continue to pick our pocketbooks and our children’s — those that are actually still living and working in this county — for years to come."
Suozzi released a video on his website that discusses his plan to make Nassau County an “ideal suburb.”
David Freedman, of the Five Towns Democratic Club, welcomed Suozzi's return.
"I am glad that Tom Suozzi is running again. He was a most capable county executive," he said. "I think his loss to Ed Mangano has allowed him to restructure his approach and will make him more dynamic and driven to bring Nassau county back from the brink."
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.
