DiNapoli, Suozzi Mull Runs, As Cuomo Faces Pressure To Resign

GLEN COVE, NY — U.S. Rep. Thomas Suozzi and State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli have been in talks with supporters and party leaders about gubernatorial runs in 2022 as Gov. Andrew Cuomo faces mounting pressure to resign over sexual harassment allegations, according to a CNBC report.

Representatives for the two north shore Democrats did not deny the conversations were taking place, CNBC reported. Suozzi, of Glen Cove, was elected to Congress in 2017 after serving as the mayor of Glen Cove and Nassau County executive. DiNapoli, of Great Neck Plaza, served in the state Assembly before taking up his post in the comptroller’s office in 2007.

A Cuomo aide did not respond for a request for comment.

More About Gov. Andrew Cuomo From Patch:

• The Entire New York State Senate Delegation Has Called For Him To Resign
• LI’s Congressional Reps Say He Must Resign
• Cuomo Said He Will Not Resign

In recent weeks, Republicans have taken aim at Suozzi, criticizing him for not speaking out about the state’s nursing home scandal, in which a top aide of Cuomo’s admitted that the state was withholding the number of residents who died, and for not publicly commenting on the sexual harassment allegations.

This week, they took aim at Suozzi and two other New York congressional delegates, saying that they put themselves in a weakened condition by voting in favor of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.

National Republican Congressional Committee spokeswoman Samantha Bullock said that while other Democrats are criticizing Cuomo, Suozzi is busy talking to supporters and party leaders about this potential run for 2022 governor.

“It’s disgusting that Tom Suozzi is putting personal ambition over holding a corrupt governor accountable for sexual assault allegations and sending nursing home patients to their deaths,” she said.

State lawmakers began an impeachment investigation into Cuomo earlier in the week. The entire state Senate delegation called on Cuomo to resign on Friday. Despite the investigation, Cuomo is refusing to resign.

Suozzi’s press office released a statement on Friday saying that Cuomo is “entitled to due process on the many serious and disturbing allegations that have been made against him” and that he has confidence Attorney General Letitia James and the state Assembly will conduct thorough investigations.

“The Governor knows that the state still faces multiple crises that merit the undivided attention of its chief executive,” Suozzi said. “I believe the governor must seriously consider whether he can effectively continue to govern in the midst of these unfolding allegations. If he cannot effectively govern with all the controversy surrounding him, he must put the interests of all New Yorkers first, and he should resign."

Suozzi and DiNapoli are not the only Long Island politicians to consider throwing their hats into the ring. Republican Long Island Congressman Lee Zeldin has also been in talks for a gubernatorial run, according to published reports.