Suozzi's Made It Official
By Megan Salzano, Brian Bohl and Jimmy Emanuele
Nassau News Staff Writers
"I can do it, because I've done it!"
That was Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi’s rallying cry as he announced his candidacy for governor in front of screaming supporters at Glen Cove’s St. Rocco Church. [Click here to read the transcript of the speech at the Friends of Tom Suozzi website]
"
He's not part of the establishment and he's got new ideas, which are always good," said Pat Isaacson, a Suozzi volunteer.
Suozzi has won a lot of support in Nassau County since his 'from behind' win four years ago as county executive, taking on what had been called the worst run county in the United States. At the announcement, Suozzi said that as county executive he was given an ultimatum: radically improve Nassau's finances in 90 days, or let Nassau become controlled by the state.
Suozzi proudly proclaimed, "Now, four years later, Nassau County is being called one of the most dramatic financial turnarounds in the United States of America."
The announcement was held in a parking lot adjacent to the home of his grandparents, emphasizing his immigrant roots. The rally featured a jazz band, both an Italian and an Irish singer, and a local choir. Suozzi will be running on a ticket of diversity.,"There will be no more black versus white, rich versus poor, upstate versus downstate," he said. With Suozzi banners flying high, the audience roared, "Bravo!"
Standing on a podium next to his grandparents’ house, Suozzi was adamant that his qualifications as an executive surpass those of Attorney General Eliott Spitzer, who had a 38-point lead in December, according to a Quinnipiac University poll. Spitzer also has the support of many state Democratic Party leaders, something Suozzi pointed to repeatedly in his speech.
Many of the Nassau County Democratic legislators were on hand to lend support, sitting on stage alongside Suozzi’s family. David Mejias (14th District-North Massapequa) said the odds are stacked against the 43-year-old former mayor of Glen Cove, but he’s seen him prevail in similar situations when he was been touted as a long-shot candidate.
“Let me tell you that you can never count Suozzi out of anything,” said Mejias. “He’s the most talented public servant I’ve ever met in my life. Everyone said in 2001 that he didn’t have a chance against Tom Gulotta. People have been counting him out for a long time, and that’s their biggest mistake.”
Many residents of Nassau County expect nothing less than promises kept if Suozzi is elected governor.
W. Wilson, said: “I’ve known him for a long time because I am from Glen Cove, I can’t see how anybody can’t like him. I knew his mother and his father. He’s qualified and can deliver and do the job.”
Mary Corrigan agrees. "I think he's made tremendous strides as the underdog running for Nassau County Executive, and I think he can do it again. The people are more invigorated now by underdogs.”
Larry Elovich of Long Beach points to Suozzi’s charisma. “That can be an X-factor," he said.
Suozzi intends to address the 'waste, fraud and abuse' that he says is stifling Medicaid, consuming over $5 billion a year.
"I have three kids in college. So, a little bit of help?" Arlene Dugar, chairperson of the Glen Cove EOC, said with a laugh.
Supporters and analysts alike are not only concerned with Suozzi being an underdog, but also with his lack of name recognition outside of Long Island.
"He needs to reach out to Queens and Brooklyn and especially the Bronx," said Ricky Martinez, chairmen of the 100 Democrats Committee. “If he does his homework, I think he has a shot at winning."
"This will be a tough fight," Suozzi said. "I have been endorsed by my mother and my father. And I'm working on Helene," the county executive joked as he turned toward his wife.
Nassau News Staff Writers
"I can do it, because I've done it!"
That was Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi’s rallying cry as he announced his candidacy for governor in front of screaming supporters at Glen Cove’s St. Rocco Church. [Click here to read the transcript of the speech at the Friends of Tom Suozzi website]
"
He's not part of the establishment and he's got new ideas, which are always good," said Pat Isaacson, a Suozzi volunteer. Suozzi has won a lot of support in Nassau County since his 'from behind' win four years ago as county executive, taking on what had been called the worst run county in the United States. At the announcement, Suozzi said that as county executive he was given an ultimatum: radically improve Nassau's finances in 90 days, or let Nassau become controlled by the state.
Suozzi proudly proclaimed, "Now, four years later, Nassau County is being called one of the most dramatic financial turnarounds in the United States of America."
The announcement was held in a parking lot adjacent to the home of his grandparents, emphasizing his immigrant roots. The rally featured a jazz band, both an Italian and an Irish singer, and a local choir. Suozzi will be running on a ticket of diversity.,"There will be no more black versus white, rich versus poor, upstate versus downstate," he said. With Suozzi banners flying high, the audience roared, "Bravo!"
Standing on a podium next to his grandparents’ house, Suozzi was adamant that his qualifications as an executive surpass those of Attorney General Eliott Spitzer, who had a 38-point lead in December, according to a Quinnipiac University poll. Spitzer also has the support of many state Democratic Party leaders, something Suozzi pointed to repeatedly in his speech.
Many of the Nassau County Democratic legislators were on hand to lend support, sitting on stage alongside Suozzi’s family. David Mejias (14th District-North Massapequa) said the odds are stacked against the 43-year-old former mayor of Glen Cove, but he’s seen him prevail in similar situations when he was been touted as a long-shot candidate.
“Let me tell you that you can never count Suozzi out of anything,” said Mejias. “He’s the most talented public servant I’ve ever met in my life. Everyone said in 2001 that he didn’t have a chance against Tom Gulotta. People have been counting him out for a long time, and that’s their biggest mistake.”
Many residents of Nassau County expect nothing less than promises kept if Suozzi is elected governor.
W. Wilson, said: “I’ve known him for a long time because I am from Glen Cove, I can’t see how anybody can’t like him. I knew his mother and his father. He’s qualified and can deliver and do the job.”
Mary Corrigan agrees. "I think he's made tremendous strides as the underdog running for Nassau County Executive, and I think he can do it again. The people are more invigorated now by underdogs.”
Larry Elovich of Long Beach points to Suozzi’s charisma. “That can be an X-factor," he said.
Suozzi intends to address the 'waste, fraud and abuse' that he says is stifling Medicaid, consuming over $5 billion a year.
"I have three kids in college. So, a little bit of help?" Arlene Dugar, chairperson of the Glen Cove EOC, said with a laugh.
Supporters and analysts alike are not only concerned with Suozzi being an underdog, but also with his lack of name recognition outside of Long Island.
"He needs to reach out to Queens and Brooklyn and especially the Bronx," said Ricky Martinez, chairmen of the 100 Democrats Committee. “If he does his homework, I think he has a shot at winning."
"This will be a tough fight," Suozzi said. "I have been endorsed by my mother and my father. And I'm working on Helene," the county executive joked as he turned toward his wife.
