Thursday, December 12, 2024
Following his re-election to Congress amid a pivotal election that saw former President Donald Trump return as president-elect, Representative Tom Suozzi called for a cooperative “common sense” approach in Washington during a post-victory press conference on Wednesday.
Despite a nationwide conservative wave, Suozzi managed to secure his seat, a result he attributes to his commitment to bipartisan problem-solving and practical solutions over party ideology.
“People are sick and tired of the finger-pointing and the endless partisan games,” Suozzi stated. “They want us to work together. They want us to reject extremism, and they want us to solve problems using common sense.”
Suozzi emphasized that his campaign resonated with voters because it was grounded in addressing their real concerns, such as securing the U.S. border and restoring state and local tax deductions, which are particularly significant for residents in high-tax states like New York.
While expressing willingness to work with Trump on issues like reinstating SALT deductions, Suozzi voiced his determination to hold the new president accountable on promises that impact New York’s districts.
“The President says he wants to restore the state and local tax deduction,” Suozzi said. “I’m going to hold him to that, and I want you to hold him to that as well.”
He stressed his commitment to working with any leader, regardless of party affiliation, if they are focused on solutions and improving people’s lives.
“I’ll work with any progressive, any conservative, any moderate—any person of goodwill who wants to solve problems,” Suozzi said.
Suozzi’s remarks also touched on hot-button cultural issues that have dominated recent campaigns, including transgender participation in sports. Criticizing Trump’s heavy focus on this in campaign advertisements, Suozzi argued that such matters don’t impact most Americans’ daily lives and should not be front and center. He acknowledged the complexity and importance of the issue, but voiced a personal belief that biological males should not compete in female sports.
“I said it. Why aren’t we saying things like that?” he asked, emphasizing his stance of not being afraid to discuss difficult topics with transparency. Suozzi clarified his pro-LGBTQ+ position, insisting he supports equal rights but believes certain nuances need honest debate.
When questioned about Nassau County’s strong support for Trump, Suozzi suggested that this support may reflect local dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party’s response to its progressive base. He explained that while Vice President Kamala Harris ran a strong campaign but hadn’t taken a decisive stance to push back against far-left influence.
“I think people are concerned that Democrats are not standing up to the base often enough,” he said. “That mattered.” Suozzi pointed out that many voters from both parties want more than rigid adherence to partisan lines; they want leaders who prioritize practical issues that impact their daily lives.
Responding to whether New York is shifting more conservative or simply more moderate, Suozzi argued that Democrats performed well in the state by focusing on common-sense policies. Highlighting campaigns by other New York Democrats like Laura Gillen and Pat Ryan, he noted that candidates who emphasized securing the border and addressing local issues won key victories.
According to Suozzi, the collaborative efforts of the New York State Democratic Party also contributed to these wins. “The state did a very good job coordinating campaigns,” he observed. “And that contributed to our success.”
Suozzi admitted that he had hoped to win by a larger margin but acknowledged that some voters aligned themselves with Trump while simultaneously backing him or other Democrats down the ballot. He speculated that his own approach, which focuses on listening to constituents and refusing to pander to ideological bases, may have influenced some voters to split their tickets.
Suozzi said his early support for a secure border as an example of an issue where he aligned more with moderate concerns, observing that focusing on border security had transformed from a liability for Democrats to a rallying point.
“It was the worst issue we had before,” he said, “but because we addressed it head-on… it became more about who will actually listen to the people and do what’s needed.”
Finally, Suozzi sent a message to Democrats who may be disheartened by the Republican sweep of the White House and Congress, encouraging them to stay active and focused on solutions.
“Don’t mourn, organize,” he urged. “Listen to what the people are saying and fix this.”
Reflecting on a hard-fought nine-year effort to counter Trump, he acknowledged that constant criticism of the former president didn’t resonate with voters. Instead, he said, the focus should be on delivering tangible results. “Tell us what you’re going to do to make life better,” he concluded, challenging both sides of the aisle to drop partisan attacks in favor of solutions that address Americans’ concerns.
