The Nassau County and Glen Cove Police Benevolent Associations endorsed Rep. Tom Suozzi (D–Glen Cove) in his congressional bid for re-election this November after the county association endorsed his GOP opponent in the February special election.
“Police officers are willing to work with anybody who supports us and supports safe streets,” Nassau County PBA President Tommy Shevlin said. “We are not Republicans, we are not Democrats – we are police officers – and we are not afraid to stand by those who are not afraid to stand by us.”
Suozzi is opposed in the congressional race by former Assemblyman Mike LiPetri.
LiPetri was scheduled to hold a press conference Wednesday with the Nassau County Superior Officers Association, Nassau County Detectives’ Association and Association of Former Detectives of Nassau County to announce his legislative plans to increase punishments for criminals charged with killing cops.
His ‘How Many More Act’ plan would make it possible to charge them with federal murder charges and be eligible for the death penalty.
Shevlin attributed Suozzi’s endorsement to his historical support for police officers. This included in 2020, amid a heightened Black Lives Matter movement with calls to defund the police, when Suozzi continued to award police honors.
Shevlin said Suozzi has also upheld his campaign promises to support the police, including publicly denouncing the “Defund the Police” movement.
“We need support from the top-down, and Congressman Suozzi has shown us that he is the person who will work with his party and the Republican Party to make sure that we are supported and make sure that we are protected and we have the protection we need to go out there and continue to do the brave work that my men and women do day in and day out when they risk their lives,” Shevlin said.
Shevlin denounced political “finger-pointing,” saying that Suozzi has proven to the PBA that he will work to address these issues.
Glen Cove PBA Vice President Peter Michaleas, who Suozzi honored as a hometown hero two weeks before the endorsement, said that while they don’t typically endorse Democrats, Suozzi is the exception.
“Congressman Suozzi is not your typical Democrat on Long Island,” Michaleas said. “Congressman Suozzi has always taken a common-sense approach to public safety and has never backed away from crime being a real issue in Glen Cove from the time he was mayor, to the time he was county executive and now as a member of Congress.”
Suozzi thanked the PBAs for their endorsements, continuing to denounce calls to defund the police and praising the efforts of local law enforcement.
Suozzi failed to secure the endorsement of the Nassau County PBA in his race for his seat in the February special election, which was granted to his challenger, District 10 Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip (R–Great Neck).
Shevlin said the county PBA’s endorsement choice was not easy and had been considered since the special election. He said they previously passed on the endorsement for Suozzi as Pilip was their local legislator at the time who supported the police.
“Just because we didn’t give Tom the endorsement didn’t mean that he was against us or we were against him,” Shevlin said.
Shevlin said in itsendorsements, the PBA also consider the incumbent candidate and the seat that is at stake.
The Nassau County PBA is endorsing both Republicans and Democrats in the 2024 election, from the House to the state Senate and Assembly. However, former President Donald Trump is at the top of their endorsements.
Shevlin said this decision was due to Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ previous call to use some police funding on mental health personnel, which she previously voiced support for in a 2020 radio interview.
Suozzi said that while he will vote for Harris, if Trump does win he will still work with him to support police and ensure public safety.
