Long Island’s Rep. Tom Suozzi is stirring attention with an upcoming re-election campaign kickoff that notably omits two of New York’s most prominent Democrats.

On Feb. 7, Suozzi will host his event for New York’s 3rd Congressional District, spanning parts of Nassau County and Queens, with an invitation listing numerous Democratic figures like State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, but neither Gov. Kathy Hochul nor Attorney General Letitia James made the cut, despite their high profiles.

The omission has prompted questions among political observers, though Suozzi’s team and New York State Democratic Party chairman Jay Jacobs insist it’s routine and not a deliberate slight.

Suozzi's Invitation List Sparks Discussion

The decision to exclude Hochul and James from the event invitation has caught the eye of political insiders, especially with dozens of other Democrats named as supporters or attendees, the New York Post reported.

Critics are quick to suggest this reflects deeper tensions or strategic moves within the party.

Nassau County Republican Party chairman Joseph Cairo didn’t hold back, stating, “Governor Kathy Hochul is so extremely unpopular that even members of her own political party are running for the exits when she enters the room.”

Republican Critics Seize the Opportunity

Cairo’s sharp comment taps into a narrative that Hochul’s policies could be a liability for Democrats in competitive areas like Suozzi’s district.

Adding to the critique, a spokesperson for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Madison Spanodemos, argued Suozzi sees Hochul’s agenda as “toxic,” citing high taxes and public safety issues as voter concerns.

Is Suozzi quietly distancing himself from a governor whose approval might weigh him down in a district not known for embracing progressive policies?

Hochul's Policies Under Fire in District

Republicans seem eager to frame Hochul’s leadership as a weak point, with some even musing Suozzi might prefer aligning with a GOP figure like Blakeman if it weren’t so politically risky.

Meanwhile, Suozzi’s camp and Jacobs are pushing back, calling the controversy overblown and stressing the invitation focused on local officials tied to the district.

Jacobs noted Hochul supports Suozzi and their relationship is strong, brushing off past friction from the 2022 gubernatorial primary as irrelevant now.

Democratic Unity or Strategic Distance?

Let’s face it—excluding the governor and attorney general from a major campaign event isn’t just an oversight; it’s a choice that sends a signal, whether intended or not.

While Jacobs claims it’s standard to highlight Long Island figures like DiNapoli, who’s from Nassau County, the optics of sidelining Hochul in a district critical of her policies are hard to overlook.

Even if Suozzi and Hochul have mended ties, as Jacobs insists, voters in the 3rd District might see this as a subtle hint that Suozzi isn’t fully aligned with state Democratic leadership—a move that could play well with moderates frustrated by Albany’s direction.