House Speaker Mike Johnson visited Long Island to support Republican congressional hopeful Mike LiPetri, where he characterized incumbent Rep. Tom Suozzi as part of a "Marxist crazy left Democrats" movement within the party. The event, held Friday at the Embassy Diner, also featured Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
LiPetri, who narrowly lost to Suozzi in 2024, expressed confidence in his campaign, stating, "The momentum is with us. The winds are behind us and ready to push us forward to win this seat come November 3." He further criticized the Democratic Party, saying, "You’re seeing socialism poison the Democratic Party. And what’s even more frightening is Democrats like my opponent, who will do exactly what they say and say nothing to stand up to them."
During his speech, Johnson repeatedly connected Suozzi to what he described as a growing "communist" influence in the Democratic Party. "The Democrat party is being overtaken by communists," Johnson stated. "There is a Marxist element you see happening in New York as clearly as anywhere else."
Johnson cited Suozzi's support for allowing transgender athletes in women's sports, his stance on raising the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, and his call for a ban on congressional stock trading as points of contention. The Speaker emphasized the importance of Republicans maintaining their House majority to prevent Democrats from reversing GOP achievements, asserting, "New York is at the center of this strategy. We have to hold the majority because the stakes are so high. This is a contrast election."
Recent campaign stops on Long Island for LiPetri's campaign have included visits from former President Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman also addressed the attendees, criticizing New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Blakeman referred to them as "comrades" and accused them of promoting detrimental policies. "We are living in the most overtaxed state in America," Blakeman said. "And now she has a new buddy, Zohran Mamdani, and now we call her Comrade Kathy. She endorsed him. He endorsed her." He further characterized them as "dangerous people. They’re antisemitic. They’re anti-Christian. They’re anti-American."
A spokesperson for Suozzi's campaign, Kim Devlin, commented that LiPetri's association with Johnson indicates he would be a "rubber stamp" for former President Trump's policies if elected. "Johnson and LiPetri would simply be rubber stamps in Washington, backing the president’s irresponsible tariffs and reckless war in Iran that are driving up the cost of gas, groceries and housing," Devlin said. The Hochul campaign also issued a statement criticizing Blakeman's alignment with "Washington Republicans' harmful MAGA agenda."