Long Island Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., announced Monday that he will seek the Democratic nomination for governor, joining an already crowded field of candidates vying to lead the Empire State.

What You Need To Know

  • New York Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Democrat who represents part of Long Island, will seek the Democratic nomination for governor

  • Suozzi over the weekend publicly turned down a job offer from New York City Mayor-elect Eric Adams to join his administration as deputy mayor

  • Suozzi previously ran for governor in 2006, losing a Democratic primary to Eliot Spitzer

  • Suozzi is joining a field that includes incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams

Suozzi, a Democrat who represents parts of Long Island, called himself a "common sense Democrat" who will "work with anybody to actually solve problems and get things done."

"It's about doing the right thing to help people," Suozzi, the former Nassau County Executive, said.

Suozzi, a strong fundraiser, is joining a Democratic field that includes incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has also indicated he may run for governor after he leaves office at the end of the year.

"When it comes to my experience and my ideology, there are clear differences with the other folks" in the race, he said Monday.

Suozzi over the weekend publicly turned down a job offer from New York City Mayor-elect Eric Adams to join his administration as deputy mayor, leading to speculation he would join what is an increasingly large field for governor.

"I will do everything I can to help my friend Mayor-elect @ericadamsfornyc & the people of NYC succeed," he wrote on Twitter. "After discussing it with my family, I believe the best way for me to help him and NYC is in elected office. I will announce my plans for the future in the coming days."

Suozzi previously ran for governor in 2006, losing a Democratic primary to Eliot Spitzer. 

Elected to Congress in 2016, Suozzi has been a vocal proponent of a provision to lift a $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions in a sweeping social services and climate change package that was approved earlier this month in the House of Representatives. 

Suozzi represents what has been in the past considered a swing seat in the narrowly divided House. The district is expected to change after the coming redistricting process next year, and Suozzi would have to give up his seat in Congress if he were to run for governor.

He becomes the 18th House Democrat to announce that he is not seeking re-election in the 2022 midterms, with 11 months to go until the crucial mid-cycle election.