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'Warrior' ready for a fight

In hometown show, Suozzi declares his bid for governor and vows to make Albany 'work for the people again'

BY MICHAEL ROTHFELD | STAFF WRITER

February 26, 2006

Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi yesterday declared his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for governor, vowing to be "a warrior for the people" against the powerful, in a hometown ceremony that played up his immigrant roots.

The decision by Suozzi ended months of flirtation with the race, and began what by all accounts is a long-shot battle against Democratic front-runner Eliot Spitzer, the state's high-profile attorney general. But Suozzi characterized the campaign as his personal mission to shake up stagnant government in New York.

"I know I have what it takes to fix the mess in Albany, take back our government from the special interests, and make it work for the people again," Suozzi said. He spoke to more than 1,000 people on a cold afternoon beside a home in Glen Cove where his Italian immigrant grandparents once lived.

In combative tones, Suozzi acknowledged the "tough fight" he faces against Spitzer, seen by party leaders as the man to capture the governor's mansion after a 12-year drought.

Suozzi, 43, who has clashed with those same party leaders over what he calls a "dysfunctional" state government, sought to portray Spitzer as an insider backed by "almost every single Democratic Party boss ... Albany legislator, Albany lobbyist and Albany lawyer."

"Unlike my opponent, I don't owe anything to the establishment," Suozzi said.

Spitzer, 46, released a statement through his campaign yesterday touting his own seven-year record of prosecuting corporate corruption.

"Eliot's campaign is about bringing sweeping reform to state government," campaign manager Ryan Toohey said.

Suozzi's aspirations have been the worst-kept secret in Long Island politics since he won election as county executive in 2001 after eight years as Glen Cove mayor. Supporters yesterday finally broke out new campaign signs reading, "Tom Suozzi - Democrat for Governor" in blue and green.

Approaching the stage to the song "Beautiful Day" by U2, Suozzi pushed slowly through the crowd with his wife, Helene, and children Caroline, Joseph and Michael. He spoke forcefully, raising his voice and jabbing his finger in the air to attack a culture of "backroom deals and special favors" in the state capital.

But he also seemed at ease that this day had come. He joked and bantered with the audience. And, after declaring he would run for governor, he turned his back to a standing ovation, to face his wife on the stage behind him. "That OK?" Suozzi asked her.

"Yes," she said, beaming.

There was a certain sentimentality to the event. His parents introduced him, with mother Marguerite referring to him as "Tommy." Suozzi also declared his candidacy on the same date that his older brother, Joseph, died of a heart attack in 2000.

"I'm sure his brother Joe would be proud of him today," Marguerite Suozzi said.

Suozzi, heading to Staten Island and Brooklyn last night and to Queens and the Bronx today, issued a warning to Spitzer, who is from New York City.

"I'm sending a direct message to Eliot Spitzer that I am not going to leave any stone unturned," Suozzi told reporters. "I am going to go to every single part of the state ... I am going to campaign everywhere to every person."

Long Island's favorite sons

At least three other Long Islanders have sought the state's highest office, including Theodore Roosevelt, who parlayed the governorship into the presidency.

PERRY DURYEA JR. Born: Oct. 18, 1921 in Montauk

Governor's race: Duryea was nominated by the GOP and the Conservative Party to take on incumbent Hugh Carey in 1978. Carey easily won re-election. Duryea died in 2004.

EUGENE NICKERSON Born: Aug. 2, 1918 in Orange, N.J.

Governor's race: The first Democrat ever elected Nassau County executive, Nickerson ran a maverick but unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 1966. He also lost a bid for a U.S. Senate nomination. He later became a federal judge and died on New Year's Day 2002.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT Born: Oct. 27, 1858 in Manhattan Governor's race: Roosevelt, a reform-minded Republican and former Oyster Bay resident, alienated the party elite but won the 1898 governor's race by a slim margin. He was chosen as McKinley's running mate in part to stem his popularity within the party.

- THE POLITICAL GRAVEYARD