Following his re-election to Congress amid a pivotal election in which former President Donald Trump’s win headlined a Republican resurgence, Rep. Tom Suozzi gave a post-victory news conference on Nov. 6. In it, he called for a cooperative, “common-sense” approach in Washington. De-spite a nationwide conservative wave, Suozzi managed to hold on to his seat, which he attributed to a commitment to bipartisan problem-solving and practical solutions over party ideology.
“People are sick and tired of the finger-pointing and the endless partisan games,” Suozzi said. “They want us to work together. They want us to reject extremism, and they want us to solve problems using common sense.”
He emphasized that his own campaign resonated with voters because it was grounded in addressing their real concerns, such as securing the U.S. border and restoring the income tax deduction for state and local taxes, which is particularly significant for residents in high-tax states like New York.
While expressing a willingness to work with Trump on issues like the SALT deduction, Suozzi voiced his determination to hold the president-elect accountable on promises that impact New York’s districts.
“The president(-elect) says he wants to restore the state and local tax deduction,” Suozzi said. “I’m going to hold him to that, and I want you to hold him to that as well.” He stressed his commitment to working with any leader, regardless of party, who is focused on solutions and improving people’s lives. “I’ll work with any progressive, any conservative, any moderate — any person of goodwill who wants to solve problems.”
Suozzi also touched on hot-button cultural issues that have dominated recent campaigns, including transgender participation in sports. Criticizing Trump’s heavy focus on the issue in campaign advertisements, he argued that such matters don’t impact most Americans’ daily lives and should not be front and center. He acknowledged the complexity and importance of the issue, and said he believed that biological males should not compete in women’s sports.
“I said it. Why aren’t we saying things like that?” Suozzi asked, emphasizing his willingness to discuss difficult topics with transparency. Suozzi clarified his pro-LGBTQ position, insisting that he supports equal rights but believes that certain nuances need honest debate.
Asked about Nassau County’s strong support for Trump in last week’s election, Suozzi suggested that it may reflect local dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party’s response to its progressive base. While Vice President Kamala Harris ran a strong campaign, he said, she did not decisively push back against the party’s far-left influence.
“I think people are concerned that Democrats are not standing up to the base often enough,” Suozzi said. “That mattered.” He pointed out that many voters, in both parties, want more than rigid adherence to partisan lines; they want leaders who prioritize practical issues that impact their daily lives.
Responding to questions about whether New York is turning more conservative or simply more moderate, Suozzi argued that Democrats performed well in the state by focusing on common-sense policies. Highlighting campaigns by other New York Democrats like Laura Gillen and Pat Ryan, he said that candidates who emphasized securing the border and addressing local issues won key victories. According to Suozzi, the collaborative efforts of the state Democratic Party also contributed to those wins.
“The state did a very good job coordinating campaigns,” he said. “And that contributed to our success.”
Suozzi said he had hoped to win by a larger margin, but acknowledged that some voters aligned themselves with Trump while simultaneously backing him or other Democrats down the ballot. He speculated that his own approach, which focuses on listening to constituents and refusing to pander to ideological bases, may have influenced some voters to split their ballots. Suozzi mentioned his early support for a secure border as an example of an issue where he aligned more with moderate concerns, and added that focusing on border security had transformed from a liability for Democrats to a rallying point.
“It was the worst issue we had before,” he said, “but because we addressed it head-on … it became more about who will actually listen to the people and do what’s needed.”
Finally, Suozzi sent a message to Democrats who may be disheartened by the Republican sweep of the White House and Congress, encouraging them to stay active and focused on solutions.
“Don’t mourn — organize,” he urged. “Listen to what the people are saying and fix this.” Reflecting on a hard-fought nine-year effort to counter Trump, he acknowledged that constant criticism of the former president didn’t resonate with voters. Instead, he said, the focus should be on delivering tangible results.
“Tell us what you’re going to do to make life better,” he concluded, challenging those on both sides of the aisle to drop partisan attacks in favor of solutions that address Americans’ concerns.
