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Suozzi steps toward Albany

BY ERROL A. COCKFIELD JR
ALBANY BUREAU CHIEF

January 13, 2006


ALBANY -- Nassau Executive Thomas Suozzi, the brash Democrat who has hinted at seeking statewide office since he took control of the county in 2001, has officially submitted paperwork to pursue a run for governor, formalizing his primary challenge of Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.

Before he filed a notice with the state Board of Elections late Wednesday, creating a political action committee that will allow him to begin fundraising, Suozzi's candidacy had been a political striptease.

The county executive - head of a reform campaign called Fix Albany - has traveled the state widely and endeared himself to the press, routinely unveiling initiatives to address policy dilemmas. Yet, he has refrained from explicitly stating his ambitions.

Suozzi's filing came ahead of what was to be an official statement today that he had created the committee Friends of Tom Suozzi. Suozzi, 43, is not expected to give a major speech, but Jan. 13 is significant to him because it is the birthday of his brother Joe, who died of a heart attack in 2000.

It's also Friday, the 13th, so take care, Tom, that you don't undo what you've worked so hard for so many years. This will have repercussions, should you fail (which is what I expect) to capture the nomination.


Especially when you read this:

Spitzer support in Suozzi’s backyard

BY MICHAEL ROTHFELD
STAFF WRITER

January 12, 2006, 11:02 PM EST


The first wave of endorsements for governor on Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi's home turf rolled in Wednesday -- for his likely opponent, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.

The announcement by "Nassau Leaders for Spitzer" appeared to be an in-your-face message to Suozzi. The event was held a day before the county executive's expected declaration of his interest in the Democratic nomination, just a half-mile from his Mineola offices. And though Spitzer didn't attend, some who did urged Suozzi to stay in Nassau for now.

"I have been a supporter of Tom Suozzi for county executive since he started running and believe he has done a very good job," said Roger Tilles, a member of the state Board of Regents from Great Neck. "The job is not over."

Robert Zimmerman, a Democratic national committee member also from Great Neck, called Suozzi "an exemplary county executive." He went on, "Eliot Spitzer has the national stature, the leadership, the record that shows he is most equipped to serve as governor. His time is now."

Arthur Kremer, a former state assemblyman from Nassau, helped organize the endorsements by current and former officials and union leaders. Rep. Steve Israel, a Huntington Democrat whose district contains part of Nassau, was listed as a Spitzer supporter, although he was not there Wednesday.

Suozzi campaign manager Kim Devlin did not respond to the endorsements. In a statement, she cited Suozzi's "widespread support based on his record of reform, strong leadership and the fiscal turnaround Nassau County now enjoys."