LiPetri to pursue rematch against Suozzi after falling short in 2024

WASHINGTON — Former GOP state Assemb. Michael LiPetri Jr. announced Tuesday that he will seek his party’s nomination for a rematch against Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi this fall, in what experts see as a potentially pivotal U.S. House race.

The Farmingdale Republican came closer than expected in 2024, losing to Suozzi 51.7% to 48.1%. That was in part because President Donald Trump carried New York’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes parts of Nassau, Queens and Suffolk counties.

Now, LiPetri is going to try again without Trump's name on the ballot, although he's making it clear he sees himself and Trump as a team.

"Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, Republicans have delivered no tax on tips, social security, overtime, and we’ve raised the SALT tax cap directly helping hardworking New Yorkers," LiPetri, 35, said in a statement announcing his candidacy Tuesday.

LiPetri, an attorney, was a member of the state Assembly for one year before an unsuccessful 2020 bid in the 2nd Congressional District, mostly based in Suffolk County, after former GOP Rep. Peter King announced his retirement.

Suozzi, 63, of Glen Cove, is seeking a second two-year term after winning back the seat in a special election in February 2024 to replace former GOP Rep. George Santos, who was expelled from Congress in December 2023.

A Suozzi campaign spokeswoman, Kim Devlin, did not comment directly on LiPetri or his plans to seek a rematch, when asked Monday about the impending candidacy. Devlin said Suozzi is focused on "curbing the illegal and immoral behavior of ICE, finding common sense solutions to immigration reform and the cost of living and affordability."

Suozzi also held the seat for six years before stepping down in 2022 to run for New York governor. That year, he lost the Democratic primary to Gov. Kathy Hochul.

LiPetri won’t be the only Republican seeking the GOP nomination for the 3rd District. Attorney Gregory Hach, 55, of Oyster Bay, has already been running for the seat. "I have already been endorsed by the major grassroots America-First groups in the district," Hach said, "and with their help I’ll make it on the ballot."

The district is rated by nonpartisan political handicappers as leaning Democratic but competitive this fall. It is viewed also as among key seats nationwide that could play a big role in control of the U.S. House starting in 2027.

Jacob Rubashkin, deputy editor at the nonpartisan Inside Elections, said LiPetri’s strong relationship with political organizations in the district means he likely will be the GOP nominee.

He also predicts that a rematch with Suozzi should be competitive, partly because "having Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman at the top of the ticket could be a real boost for 3rd District Republicans."

That is true, he said, even if the overall political environment goes sour statewide for Blakeman.

"LiPetri acquitted himself well in 2024, holding Suozzi to a narrow win despite raising less than $1 million and receiving nominal outside help," Rubashkin said.

Erin Covey, a House elections expert at the nonpartisan handicapper The Cook Political Report, also notes that with Suozzi already having nearly $4.5 million in his campaign coffers, he "currently has more cash on hand than any other House Democrat in a competitive race this cycle."

"It’ll be competitive," Covey said, "but Suozzi has a clear edge."

Blakeman was quick out of the gate on Tuesday in endorsing LiPetri. "Mike is one of us — he stands for our values, our principles, and is 100% committed to supporting law enforcement and lowering costs for hardworking New York taxpayers," he said in a statement.

LiPetri also earned early support from key Republican Party leaders, including Nassau County Republican Committee Chairman Joseph G. Cairo Jr.

"Mike is a proven vote-getter who has the talent and energy needed to flip this seat. His common-sense approach to solving our affordability crisis and tackling crime head-on is exactly what the voters of NY-03 deserve," Cairo said in a statement Tuesday.

In Washington, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) also weighed in, noting the pivotal role of the race for the seat now held by Suozzi in the fight for majority control of the chamber. Republicans under Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) now hold a slim 218-213 edge in seats, with four vacancies.

"Mike LiPetri is exactly the type of fighter we need to take this seat back and deliver common sense results for New Yorkers," Emmer said. "Mike has my full endorsement, and I look forward to sending Tom Suozzi back into lobbying."