Mazi Pilip began her campaign to replace her disgraced GOP compatriot George Santos for the NY-3 Congressional District by stating for Fox News: “I am the only solution to the problems we face.”
That comment is as redolent of fascist rhetoric as they come, and one that should give every American versed in history serious pause. She may not have understood what she was saying, which is bad enough, but you can be sure that her GOP handlers, allied with forces eroding civil and human rights in our nation, knew exactly what they were doing when they fed her that line.
The North Shore of Nassau was long a bastion of enlightenment, education, and democratic values, and it has never been more important than now that voters tap into that history and tradition when they choose our next congressman.
That is one reason among many that I vigorously endorse Tom Suozzi for NY-3 U.S. Representative in the Special Election on Tuesday Feb. 13 (early voting from Sat. Feb. 3 through Sun. Feb. 11).
A congressional election is about demonstrated knowledge, skills, and competence to serve in the halls of power in Washington, and Tom Suozzi has those in spades.
His congressional legislative record includes hundreds of sponsored bills on many topics such as gun control, lower prescription drug prices, environmental protection, many of which became law.
His service on the Ways and Means, Foreign Affairs, and Armed Services Committees, and as vice chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus where he helped negotiate the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, have given him extensive experience with the legislative process, policy, and working across the aisle to get things done.
Tom worked with former Republican Congressman Peter King to draft a “Grand Compromise” comprehensive immigration reform package that calls for increased funding for border security, incentives to reduce migration from Central America, a path to legal status for the “Dreamers” without criminal records, and treating people humanely.
He is an established leader in the fight to restore the SALT tax deduction to combat the higher cost of living on behalf of suburban families.
As Nassau County Executive and Mayor of Glen Cove, his management of their respective police departments helped lower crime rates to historically low levels.
Tom has always been a steadfast supporter of Israel, and of a woman’s right to full reproductive healthcare including safe, legal, and accessible abortion and contraception.
By contrast, Mazi Pilip has no qualifications relevant to the job of congresswoman.
Her verbal and written statements ramble incoherently from topic to topic and are filled with vague goals with no independent ideas for how to achieve them and stock GOP talking points.
She has compiled no legislative record of substance during her tenure as Nassau County legislator and did not introduce a single bill of her own in her time in office.
Following the dictates of GOP leadership, she voted against every measure that would move our community forward to a safer and more prosperous future, including rejecting increased funding for police and a Hate Crimes Unit, contrary to her stated platform.
Some of her colleagues report that when they are in legislative session, she rarely speaks, doesn’t respond to overtures from them to work together, and appears not to understand the proceedings taking place.
Most significantly, she has shown repeated contempt for a foremost norm of our democratic process: putting herself up to public scrutiny and debating her opponent on the issues. That is a sine qua non of qualification for elective office.
Instead, she has hidden behind a curtain of narrow parochial and party interests and remains a cipher on most issues, behavior which is un-American, indicative of weakness and susceptibility to outside influence, and patently dangerous for our republic.
For example, would she certify the 2024 election results if President Biden wins? Would she vote to legalize abortion nationwide? Etc.
All of us are frustrated with the persistence of many problems in our country: the crisis at the border, crime, and the high cost of living.
But you don’t mend damaged institutions by breaking them further and populating them with people ill-equipped for the task or puppets for their party. Personal stories of required military service, immigration, motherhood, and managing the office of a medical practice simply are not qualifications for elective office.
We cannot afford a candidate who hasn’t even learned her current position; we need someone who can hit the ground running on day one.
That person is unquestionably Tom Suozzi, the only candidate with a proven record of accomplishment in public service. I ask you to join me in casting your vote for Tom, so that he may use his skills, experience, intellect, and passion to help lead NY-3 and the nation to the brighter future that we all deserve. To learn more about Tom, please visit www.suozziforcongress2024.com and Facebook “Tom Suozzi.”
Anne Motta
Great Neck