Dan DeBono gets Republican nod to challenge Rep. Thomas Suozzi

The Nassau, Suffolk and Queens Republican committees have selected Dan DeBono, a Huntington Republican committeeman and former U.S. Navy SEAL, to challenge first-term Rep. Thomas Suozzi in November.

DeBono, of Northport, has spent the past two decades on Wall Street, as a trader and investment banker.

“I will bring to Washington a unique perspective on how the federal government can implement common sense policies that will grow the middle-class economy, modernize our infrastructure, and strengthen our military without bankrupting future generations,” DeBono said.

DeBono said he backs increased deregulation, improving funding for the Long Island Rail Road and reducing taxes for small businesses.

Suozzi (D-Glen Cove), who faces a possible Democratic primary from former United Nations policy analyst Joshua Sauberman, declined to comment on DeBono’s candidacy.

Suozzi has $1.13 million on hand while DeBono has $106,436 available, according to Federal Election Commission records.

In other Long Island congressional races, civil rights attorney Kevin Thomas of Levittown is the latest Democrat to declare his candidacy to challenge Rep. Pete King (R-Seaford). Thomas is a member of the New York State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

Other Democrats seeking the seat are Suffolk County Legislature presiding officer DuWayne Gregory, progressive activist Liuba Grechen Shirley, of Babylon, civic activist John Rennhack, of North Massapequa, and salesman Mike Sax of West Bay Shore.

Major party candidates need 1,250 valid petition signatures to qualify for the ballot for the June 26 congressional primaries. Petitions must be filed by April 12.

By Robert Brodsky

robert.brodsky@newsday.com,rick.brand@newsday.com@BrodskyRobert,

Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.