Democrat Tom Suozzi beats Republican Michael LiPetri in 3rd Congressional District

WASHINGTON -- Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi defeated former Assem. Michael LiPetri on Tuesday in a heated rematch of their 2024 U.S. House race.

Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) had won their 2024 battle for New York’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes parts of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens counties, by 52%-48%.

Their high-profile rematch was viewed as among the pivotal races nationally, given its potentially pivotal role in determining party control of the U.S. House.

Throughout, Suozzi, 64, of Glen Cove, emphasized his moderate or bipartisan reputation.

Meanwhile LiPetri, 36 of Farmingdale, sought to cast Suozzi is beholden to an influence of the Democratic Party’s ascendant socialist wing in the form of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and others. Suozzi insisted he shuns the far-left agenda.

LiPetri made no secret of his own allegiance to President Donald Trump, who endorsed him on the night he announced his candidacy in February, calling LiPetri a "MAGA Warrior" on Truth Social.

Their strategies saw LiPetri repeatedly criticizing Suozzi for his voting record, despite the Democrat's claims of bipartisanship, on bills that largely split all Republicans and Democrats.

He further accused Suozzi of advocating for amnesty for as many as 10 million immigrants living in the U.S. illegally .

Suozzi refuted he is proposing amnesty, but instead favors creating a permanent legal work authorization for non-citizens who've been living in the country for 10 years.

Suozzi portrayed LiPetri as reluctant to criticize a president whose approval ratings have cratered amid the war with Iran, his imposition of tariffs on friendly countries, his immigration enforcement policies — as well as high gas prices and the economy generally.

The campaign featured appearances by Vice President JD Vance, Speaker Mike Johnson and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. A late-campaign infusion of millions of dollars from outside GOP groups targeted Suozzi with TV attack ads.

Suozzi held the seat from 2017 until deciding not run for reelection in 2022 ahead of an unsuccessful primary bid for governor. He won the seat back in a special election in February 2024 to replace former GOP Rep. George Santos, who was expelled from Congress in December 2023.