Key law enforcement and firefighter unions have thrown their support behind Democratic Representative Tom Suozzi as he seeks re-election in New York’s Third Congressional District. The Nassau County Police Benevolent Association and the New York City Uniformed Firefighters Association have both endorsed Suozzi’s campaign, signaling strong backing from public safety unions.

Suozzi faces a competitive rematch against Republican challenger Mike LiPetri. In the 2024 election, Suozzi narrowly defeated LiPetri by approximately three percentage points in the district, which covers parts of Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island as well as sections of Queens.

A former Nassau County executive, Suozzi is serving his second tenure in Congress. He initially left the House to pursue the governorship of New York in 2022 but was defeated in the Democratic primary by the incumbent governor, Kathy Hochul. Suozzi returned to Congress earlier this year, winning a special election held in February following the expulsion of former Republican Representative George Santos, who faced multiple controversies related to falsehoods.

The endorsements from the police and firefighter unions aim to bolster Suozzi’s standing in a district that remains politically competitive. His opponent, LiPetri, has campaigned aggressively, seeking to capitalize on the tight margin from the previous election.

The race is shaping up as a key contest in a suburban district that blends urban and suburban voters. With union support and a record of local government experience, Suozzi is positioned to appeal to a broad constituency, while LiPetri aims to make gains among conservative and Republican-leaning voters. The outcome will likely contribute to the overall balance of representation in the closely watched New York congressional delegation.