The campaign for longtime Democratic National Committee member Robert Zimmerman announced the endorsement of Linda Beigel Schulman, a nationally recognized gun control advocate, as he bids for his party’s nomination in the 3rd Congressional District.
Schulman, whose son Scott Beigel was killed ushering students to safety in the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, in 2018, said she believes that Zimmerman will make a difference for the district, state and country.
“Robert is the type of person we need representing Long Island in Washington,” Schulman, who was raised in the Roslyn area, said. “He is not a newcomer to the political arena and has a proven record of advocating, fighting for and delivering on the issues so deeply personal to me.”
“Linda’s words and leadership have inspired a nation,” Zimmerman said. “It has brought to so many people hope and belief that we can take the most unspeakable tragedy and turn it into positive action.”
The endorsement came at a news conference in Dix Hills in front of Scott J. Beigel Way, renamed in 2018 after Beigel, who was a geography teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and the school’s cross country coach, when he was killed.
Zimmerman, 67, is co-president of ZE Creative Communications on Bond Street in Great Neck, a public relations firm he began 33 years ago with Ron Edelson.
He is seeking the congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove), who is running for governor.
Since his announcement, Zimmerman’s campaign said it has raised over $500,000.
If elected, Zimmerman would become the first gay member of Congress from Long Island and Queens.
Other endorsements for Zimmerman’s campaign include former Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, Assemblyman Charles Lavine and state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.
According to newly drawn lines, the 3rd Congressional District will include several areas in Westchester County and the Bronx along with Manhasset, Roslyn, Port Washington, Great Neck, Floral Park, and Whitestone, Queens, among other areas, and stretches to Kings Park in Suffolk County.
Following the approval of new congressional maps by state legislators, a Republican-led group filed a lawsuit claiming the Democrats gerrymandered the districts to retain control of the House.
Others running for the Democratic nomination in the district include former North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman, Nassau County Legislator Joshua Lafazan, state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, Oyster Bay’s Reema Rasool and Melanie D’Arrigo of Port Washington.
The Democratic congressional primary is slated for June 28.
George Santos and Kevin Surdi are seeking the Republican nomination.
