3rd CD: Legis. Steve Stern urges Tom Suozzi return Trump $

At the anti-Donald Trump protest Wednesday night in Bethpage, congressional candidate Legis. Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills) called on his Democratic opponent former Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi to return Trump donations.

The Dix Hills Democrat was the only elected official at the protest. “I would have expected him (Suozzi) not only to join us, but to apologize and return the $11,000 in contributions he received,” Stern said. He criticized Trump for running a “sexist and racist” campaign.

Stern refused to address whether other Democrats should return their contributions from Trump, including U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer or Sen. Hillary Clinton.

“None of them are running for the 3rd Congressional district,” Stern said. “I’m only running one race.”

A Suozzi campaign spokesman said he would send a statement but did not.

Stern and Suozzi are among the crowded Democratic field of candidates running to replace outgoing Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington) that include North Hempstead board member Anna Kaplan and former North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman.

By David M. Schwartz

dschwar1@newsday.comschwartznewsNY

David Schwartz covers environmental issues. A native Long Islander, he's worked at Newsday since 2013.