Thomas Suozzi, former Nassau exec, dives into Congress race

As a young Glen Cove mayor, the never-bashful Tom Suozzi campaigned in 1997 without success for U.S. Senate and lieutenant governor.

In 2005, as Nassau County executive, Suozzi leapt into a long-shot run for governor against Eliot Spitzer. He even sought the U.S. Senate seat that went to Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand.

“When you’re young, you don’t think there’s anything you can’t do,” Suozzi said.

But after two terms as county executive, followed by two losses for the office, Suozzi, 53, is moving forward with his latest and perhaps final comeback attempt — a run for retiring Democratic Rep. Steve Israel’s seat in the 3rd Congressional District.

“The mulling is over,” said Suozzi, who began handing out nominating petitions to volunteers Saturday to prepare for Tuesday, the first day to collect signatures.

He also is scheduled to appear at events in Nassau, Suffolk and Queens and email 6,000 supporters Sunday to announce the formal launch of his campaign for the June 26 Democratic primary, in which as many as half-a-dozen contenders may run. They include former North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman, Suffolk County Legis. Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills) and North Hempstead Town Board member Anna Kaplan.

Suozzi said he is aware of concerns about the “fatigue factor” among voters, and has tried to portray himself as less impetuous. He said he spent six weeks weighing a run, holding a town-hall meeting, talking with more than 100 supporters and attending more than 50 events across the district.

Suozzi also commissioned a $20,000 poll to gauge his chances in a Democratic primary and the general election. While not disclosing the results, he said there’s “a clear pathway to victory” in both races.

“I think there’s fatigue with everyone in politics, and that’s why Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders have gotten so much traction,” said Suozzi, a supporter of Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Suozzi said his “Fix Albany” campaign, in which he backed challengers to some incumbent state lawmakers, and his efforts to reduce Medicaid costs and bring about the 2 percent tax cap show he’s willing to take on tough issues.

“You don’t need an outsider, who knows nothing about government,” Suozzi said. “You need a responsible reformer who knows how government runs and is willing to solve problems in this very messy thing we call democracy.”

He said he would focus on issues that concern voters most: job creation, affordable housing, education and retirement security.

Jay Jacobs, Nassau Democratic Party chairman, who until now has backed Suozzi in all his races — even his governor’s bid — said he is neutral this year because the outcome is “too important and too uncertain” to impose himself on the nomination.

Suffolk Democratic chairman Rich Schaffer, who is backing Stern, said Suozzi is a hardworking candidate who knows how to connect with people.

“But people in general feel the big negative is Suozzi fatigue and whether that will hurt in making his case in November,” Schaffer said.

Suozzi said the nation doesn’t need politicians who play it safe. “We need a grown-up in the room who will work through the thorny problems,” he said. “I’ve shown that I’m willing to fight the status quo and have the scars to prove it.”

Though Republicans face a potential primary, E. O’Brien Murray, spokesman for Republican Jack Martins, a state senator from Old Westbury who is seeking the Israel seat, said Democrats face a more divisive battle, and “have a bloodbath on their hands and whoever wins the primary will never cross the finish line.”