Former Rep. Tom Suozzi is “crazy fishing” for a way to return to his old House seat, pinning his hopes on being named the Democratic nominee in a special election if GOP Congressman George Santos is forced out of office, sources told The Post.
“Suozzi is already going around telling everyone and their mothers that he is the man … that [House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries] has chosen him,” said a Democratic source.
Santos, 35, a freshman Republican who represents Long Island and Queens, was exposed as a compulsive liar shortly after his election and now faces federal charges of fraud and money laundering.
Although the scandal-plagued pol has vowed to run for re-election, most liberals across the state expect him to resign from Congress — perhaps as part of a plea deal.
Some of Santos’ own GOP colleagues have publicly called for his resignation.
A second Dem who spoke with Suozzi said the former Congressman was “lobbying like crazy to get back in” and “on the phone telling everybody that Hakeem wants me.”
Former Rep. Tom Suozzi has “told everybody and their mother” he should return to Congress.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call/Sipa U
Suozzi declined to comment.
Suozzi represented the seat in Congress for three terms.
He routinely wins by comfortable majorities and in 2020 beat Santos by 12 points.
He is seen as a safe bet to run against whoever the Republicans will field – but he has powerful enemies.
Suozzi is leaving Congress to pursue a primary challenge to Governor Hochul in 2022.
Rep. George Santos faces federal charges of fraud and money laundering — but insists he is not resigning, and running for re-election.AP
He came in a distant third with just 13% of the vote — but his harsh campaign ads and lackluster support for Hochul in his close race against Lee Zeldin, the GOP nominee, left a lingering bitterness, people close to him said.
“The governor is not enamored with Tom Suozzi that’s pretty clear,” said another person who spoke to him recently — but added that his priority is electability. “I think the Democrats will focus on who is the best candidate to win the race. Whoever it is, they will be united behind.”
Santos’ resignation would trigger a special election, bypassing the primary and allowing party leaders to choose their candidates.
Jay Jacobs, chairman of the Nassau County Democratic party, controls the votes needed to choose the next candidate.
His GOP counterpart, Joe Cairo, previously told The Post he was being flooded with Republicans eager to run in the special election.
Suozzi insisted he supported the support of the Democratic leader of the House of Rep. Hakeem Jeffries.AP
But Jacobs remains unpopular with the left wing of the party who continue to blame him for the party’s poor performance in the 2022 mid-terms.
Therefore, he cannot name anyone who will depose the governor.
Jacobs’ allies have blamed rising crime and unpopular left-wing policies like bail reform, for the crackdown.
In addition to Suozzi, State Sen. Anna Kaplan and communications executive Robert Zimmerman are also reportedly angling for the seat.
“Tom is my friend, but I’m not making any commitments right now. I have other friends who have expressed interest in running and we will take a fair and complete look at this if and when we have a special election,” Jacobs said.
Representatives for Jeffries and Hochul declined to comment.
Santos laughed off the speculation entirely — and again insisted he wasn’t going anywhere.
“I have no plans to resign,” he told The Post. “I’m still running.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
