Suozzi Draws Line Against Socialism

Long Island Rep. Tom Suozzi is drawing a sharp ideological line between himself and the growing democratic socialist movement, a particularly significant move for a suburban congressman serving in the shadow of New York City, where Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani is now mayor.

Suozzi, a Democrat who represents parts of Nassau County and Queens, helped launch the “Promise to America,” a statement of principles aimed at establishing a centrist alternative as socialists make inroads into the traditional Democrat Party. The effort was launched with California Rep. Adam Gray and has attracted support from other lawmakers and candidates.

The message leaves little doubt about where Suozzi wants to position himself.

“We are capitalist, not socialist,” the pledge declares. “We believe in a growing, fair, and competitive economy that rewards hard work, innovation, entrepreneurship, and ownership.”

The document also stakes out positions that separate its signers from the party’s progressive wing on crime, immigration, government spending and patriotism.

“We want safety, not lawlessness,” the pledge states, calling for “secure borders, safe communities, honest government, and an orderly immigration system.” On federal spending, it declares, “We are responsible, not reckless,” while promising to confront the national debt.

Suozzi has been even more explicit in describing the political divide.

“We disagree with MAGA. We disagree with socialists,” Suozzi said when additional supporters joined the effort. “We don’t want this extremism. We want mainstream.”

The pledge also declares its signers “mainstream, not extreme” and “proud, not ashamed of America,” while arguing that Democrats must appeal beyond their ideological base.

For Suozzi, who is up for reelection to the seat previously held by Republican George Santos, the effort puts considerable daylight between his brand of suburban Democratic politics and the socialist movement gaining strength just across the New York City line.