After eight years as county executive, and eight as Glen Cove mayor before that, Tom Suozzi said his farewell to elected government service at a luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 16. Suozzi spoke proudly and wistfully to a Garden City Hotel ballroom-full of dear friends and family, long-time supporters from Glen Cove and from around Long Island, as well as county workers, some of whom may be looking for work next month.

Suozzi lost his bid for a third term to Republican Legislator Edward Mangano, who takes office Jan. 1.  

Suozzi thanked all those many people who joined his team, as contributors, political allies, staff, and friends who helped him achieve so much for the good of the county. He thanked his family, his parents, his wife, Helene, and his children, Caroline, Michael and Joseph, for their support. And he offered his support and thanks to two other elected leaders who lost their elections, Comptroller Howard Weitzman and Legislator Dave Mejias. He praised the high quality of their performance in office and their dedication to their service to the people of Nassau County.

Several standing ovations greeted Suozzi's restatement of his administration's accomplishments, “repairing, reforming and reimagining Nassau.”