SouthernWorldwide.com – A Republican challenger endorsed by former President Donald Trump is highlighting significant labor union support as he vies for a crucial House of Representatives seat. This endorsement is seen as a key boost in a highly competitive race that could influence control of the House.
Mike LiPetri, a former state assembly member, stated that the backing from the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 138 signifies growing momentum for his campaign. The union represents 1,500 members.
This endorsement provides LiPetri with a strategic advantage as he prepares for a rematch against Representative Tom Suozzi. Suozzi, a Democrat, successfully reclaimed the suburban swing seat in 2024, having previously represented it from 2017 to 2023.
The union’s statement emphasized the need for strong leadership in Washington. “We need leaders in Washington with guts — people who aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves to get the job done, no excuses,” a union representative stated. “Mike LiPetri is that guy and the men and women of Local 138 are with him all the way.”
This union support comes at a critical time for national Republicans, who consider Suozzi a prime target. They aim to gain ground in the district, which encompasses parts of Long Island and Queens, ahead of the November elections.
The district has shown a trend of close contests. Trump carried Suozzi’s seat by a margin of just over four points in 2024. In the same election cycle, LiPetri ran three points behind the incumbent.
Republicans have largely coalesced behind LiPetri. He is currently seeking to secure the GOP nomination in the June 23 primary, facing a challenge from attorney Gregory Hach. LiPetri is recognized as a top recruit and is part of the National Republican Congressional Committee’s prominent candidate program.
LiPetri expressed confidence in the broad support for his campaign. “The president is all in on our race, he’s given us a ringing endorsement,” he stated. “House leadership is all in on this race. Local leadership is also all in on this race.”
LiPetri also believes that Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the likely Republican nominee for Governor against Kathy Hochul, will play a role in mobilizing Republican voters on Long Island.
The Republican challenger is actively seeking to differentiate himself from Suozzi on key issues. These include immigration, transgender rights, and tax policy, as he looks towards the general election in November.
Suozzi, who co-chairs the centrist Problem Solvers Caucus, has positioned himself as a staunch moderate. However, LiPetri contends that Suozzi has deviated from this image in the past year.
A notable instance cited by LiPetri is Suozzi’s vote against additional funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This occurred during a prolonged debate over immigration spending.
Suozzi initially supported a Department of Homeland Security funding bill in January. However, he later issued a public apology for his vote, describing it as a failure to view the legislation as a “referendum on the illegal and immoral conduct of ICE.” This followed backlash from progressive groups concerning the Trump administration’s increased immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. Suozzi subsequently aligned with Democratic leadership’s stance, advocating for new funding to be coupled with reforms to immigration enforcement.
Furthermore, Suozzi voted with Democrats against legislation that would prohibit biological males from participating in women’s sports in K-12 schools. He also voted against a bill to establish a women’s history museum on the National Mall.
The proposal for the museum faced strong objections from some Democrats who argued it excluded transgender individuals. LiPetri suggested that Suozzi shared this viewpoint.
Representative Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican from New York and the sponsor of the museum bill, commented on the situation in May. She stated, “They’re going to have to explain to their voters why they believe this museum should not be built and why they believe that there should be transgender exhibits in it,” referring to the Democrats.
LiPetri also criticized Suozzi’s vote against Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” This legislation introduced new deductions for tips, overtime pay, and automobile loans.
Suozzi’s opposition to the Republican budget law at the time was attributed to concerns such as proposed cuts to federal Medicaid spending and the extension of lower tax rates for high earners.
Despite these endorsements and policy contrasts, LiPetri faces a significant financial challenge. Suozzi’s campaign has amassed nearly $5.5 million in its war chest. In contrast, LiPetri has approximately $727,000 in cash on hand, according to recent filings with the Federal Election Commission.
LiPetri highlighted his campaign’s fundraising success, noting it is among the top fundraisers for Republican challengers nationwide.
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report has classified the race as “Lean Democrat,” indicating a slight advantage for the incumbent.
