GOP's Michael LiPetri Jr. set to pursue rematch against Rep. Tom Suozzi after falling short in 2024

WASHINGTON — Former GOP state Assemblyman Michael LiPetri Jr. is set to announce Tuesday that he will seek his party’s nomination again to run against Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi this fall.

LiPetri, 35, of Massapequa Park, did not immediately return messages to talk about his pursuit of a rematch against the Glen Cove Democrat, who in November 2024 defeated him 51.7% to 48.1%.

But multiple people familiar with LiPetri’s plans say he will file candidacy papers Tuesday and announce that he is running to represent New York’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes parts of Nassau and Queens counties.

LiPetri won’t be the only Republican seeking the GOP nomination. Attorney Gregory Hach, 55, of Oyster Bay has already been running for the seat.

Hach says his campaign has been told of LiPetri’s decision to run. "As the grassroots Republican candidate in this race, I welcome anyone else into it. That’s the American way," Hach said. "I have already been endorsed by the major grassroots America-First groups in the district, and with their help I’ll make it on the ballot."

 The district is rated by non-partisan political handicappers as leaning Democratic but competitive this fall. It is viewed also as among seats nationwide that could play a big role in swinging which party will control the U.S. House starting in 2027.

LiPetri, an attorney, was a member of the state Assembly for one year before an unsuccessful 2020 bid in the 2nd Congressional District, mostly based in Suffolk County, after former GOP Rep. Peter King announced his retirement.

Suozzi, 63, is seeking a second two-year term after winning back the seat in a special election in February 2024 to replace former GOP Rep. George Santos, who was expelled from Congress in December 2023.

A Suozzi campaign spokeswoman, Kim Devlin, did not comment directly on LiPetri or his plans to seek a rematch. Devlin said Suozzi is focused on "curbing the illegal and immoral behavior of ICE, finding common sense solutions to immigration reform and the cost of living and affordability."

Suozzi previously had held the seat for six years before stepping down in 2022 to run for New York governor. He was defeated in the Democratic primary by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The congressman’s latest campaign finance report with the Federal Election Commission reported him raising $3.2 million for his campaign war chest from Jan. 1, 2025, through the end of 2025. He has nearly $4.5 million stockpiled in his campaign coffers, including money previously raised.

Hach reported more than $300,000 on hand, most of that from a loan he made to his own committee.