Votes being cast in 3rd C.D. Democratic primary

The Democratic Primary, on June 23, is right around the corner. This year, due to the coronavirus, voters will be casting absentee ballots by mail. U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi is being challenged in the 3rd Congressional District by Michael Weinstock of Great Neck and Melanie D’Arrigo of Port Washington. The winner of the primary will face Republican nominee George Santos of Queens in November.

The Herald Guardian asked the candidates a couple of questions to help voters make their decision when they mail in their ballots.

 Herald Guardian: Why are you running?

Tom Suozzi: Throughout my career, I have fought to help the people I represent and to solve problems.

The Coronavirus pandemic has ravaged Long Island and New York and I am fighting everyone from Mitch McConnell to Donald Trump to make sure we get our fair share of federal aid to climb out of this health crisis and get our economy back on track. I secured billions of dollars for New York hospitals and frontline workers and I led a bipartisan coalition from N.Y. and N.J. to make sure that federal funding was earmarked for the states hardest hit by the pandemic.

I increased funding for the Long Island Sound by 500 percent and have secured tens of millions of dollars for the remediation of the Navy/Grumman plume. My bill to repeal the cap on the state and local tax (SALT) deductions passed out of the House, I am a co-sponsor of every gun violence prevention legislation in Congress and I am an original co-sponsor of the Justice in Policing Act of 2020.

Melanie D'Arrigo: Since the Citizen's United ruling, we have seen a tremendous amount of corporate money funneled into political campaigns. When those lobbyists/Corporate PACs come knocking, time and time again we see our politicians start legislating for them at the expense of us. One of my opponents has taken over a million dollars in Corporate PAC money in the last two cycles and has broken with the Democratic party to roll back banking regulations, support ICE and support legislation to spy on Americans. He also supports a healthcare plan that would leave millions uninsured and keep costs high.

Right now, I do not feel represented and I do not believe our district is being represented either. I'm running to fight for the commonsense solutions that meet the scale and urgency of the moment. I'm fighting for healthcare for all, solutions to combat climate change, reproductive rights, immigrant rights, commonsense gun safety legislation, campaign finance reform and equality for all people.

Michael Weinstock: I am running for Congress because I want New Yorkers to be proud of our elected officials again.  When I was a boy, I used to admire Governor Mario Cuomo, because he reflected New Yorkers in such a positive light. I am hoping that kids might see me in the same light. If I am elected, I will become the first 9/11 firefighter elected to Congress and the first openly-gay person to represent New York City, or Long Island, in Congress. 

 Herald Guardian: What federal legislation would you propose that would ensure that all people, regardless of race, are treated fairly and justly by police?

Suozzi: I am an original co-sponsor of the Justice in Policing Act of 2020, which has been introduced by House and Senate Democrats and the Congressional Black Caucus. Our legislation is a first-ever bold, comprehensive approach to hold police accountable, change the culture of law enforcement and build trust between law enforcement and our communities.

This critical legislation would ban the use of chokeholds nationwide, increase accountability and improve transparency by collecting more accurate data of police misconduct and use-of-force, establish a national registry to prevent problem officers from changing jurisdictions, improve police training, limit the transfer of military equipment to local law enforcement and more. 

D'Arrigo: Implementing legislation and evidence based policies to reduce police use of force have been shown to reduce violence against black people by 72 percent. As a start, I support the Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act, the End Racial Profiling Act, ending the defense of qualified immunity and reducing use of force measures such as banning chokeholds, requiring de-escalation, requiring a duty to intervene to stop excessive force, ensuring a force continuum is in place, requirement to give a verbal warning and report each time excessive force is used. 

Weinstock: If I am elected to Congress, I intend to co-sponsor the Justice in Policing Act, which prohibits police officers from using choke-holds, creates a national registry to track police misconduct and prohibits no-knock warrants.

I have always been passionate about protecting people who have been treated unfairly. That's why I recently suspended my campaign for Congress for two days, so I could go into Lower Manhattan and represent a young Canadian Journalist who was wrongfully arrested while she was reporting on the riots. I hope to bring the same passion to all of my work on behalf of the voters of Queens and Long Island.