I have spent most of my adult life in public service, having served as a trustee on the Great
Neck Board of Education for 16 years, as a legislator on the Nassau County Legislature for six years and recently as supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead for eight years.

I believe this is the first Letter to the Editor on behalf of a candidate I have written. I feel compelled to do so now because the stakes are so high. I urge all eligible voters in the Third Congressional District to participate in the special election on Feb. 13 and to vote for Tom Suozzi.

My parents were Holocaust survivors and I grew up understanding the importance of supporting Israel and standing up fiercely to antisemitism. I understood that it was essential for elected leaders, those of the Jewish faith as well as those who practiced other faiths and beliefs, to stand up against all bias and prejudice and have the courage to call out members of their own parties who did not.

Tom Suozzi is that person. He has done it countless times and we know we can count on him to always stand with the Jewish people.

The residents of the 3rd CD are still recovering from a lack of representation this past year. It is not acceptable to consider voting for a candidate who refuses to speak to the press, and civic groups and refuses to participate in debates, except for one a few days before the election when early voting has begun and absentee ballots are being sent in.

We need Tom Suozzi, a man who has engaged in countless town halls, has called for debates and understands we have a right to know his position on all the issues facing this district and our country today.

We need Tom Suozzi, a proven supporter of democracy and minority rights, to be returned to Congress to represent us all.

When Tom was the Nassau County executive his campaign slogan was “I can do it because I have done it!” I believe it should be part of his platform today as well. Tom has reached across the aisle many times, as evidenced by the role he played in the Problem Solvers Caucus he helped form in Congress.

He knows how to get things done. He has the experience and the moral fiber to bring honor back to our United States Congress.

I have never felt so strongly that the right choice, the responsible choice, is to vote for Tom
Suozzi on Feb. 13.

Judi Bosworth

Former Supervisor, Town of North Hempstead