Tom Suozzi snaps a selfie with President Biden at State of the Union

When people living in the 3rd Congressional District watched the State of the Union on Thursday night, they saw images of elected leaders they’ve seen in the newspaper and on television, but they also saw someone they may have spoken to at a North Shore grocery store.

Tom Suozzi, their representative in Congress, made sure he captured Pres. Joe Biden’s attention as he walked down the aisle toward the podium. Leaning toward the president, cell phone in hand, Suozzi put his arm around Biden asking if he would be in a photograph. Snapping a selfie, Suozzi now has more than a memory of the speech given by Biden, that analysists have said was near perfect. He has a photo to mark the night.

Suozzi had distanced himself during his campaign for Congress from the President, who was experiencing low poll ratings even telling CNN Biden’s support would not be helpful. And Suozzi’s competitor in the race for Congress, Mazi Pilip, frequently grouped Suozzi and Biden together, saying they were responsible for conditions at the border.  

Reentering Congress after a failed attempt to run for governor, Suozzi, a former three-term congressman, has said he is ready to get back to work, which his constituents will appreciate, after being represented by expelled former Congressman George Santos, who they said did little or nothing.