Rep. Tom Suozzi, a moderate Democrat from New York, is urging his party to directly confront what he describes as a growing socialist movement within the Democratic Party. Suozzi compared the influence of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) to that of the House Freedom Caucus, a conservative faction within the Republican Party.
"The Democrats are going to have to deal with this group," Suozzi told Fox News Digital in an interview. He expressed disapproval of the DSA's use of the term "democratic," asserting that the Democratic Party, not the DSA, should hold claim to that designation.
Suozzi warned that discounting the DSA's increasing presence in primary elections, where DSA-linked candidates have defeated incumbent progressive House members in New York and Colorado, would be a mistake. He advocates for a direct approach, stating, "I just say very clearly, 'That's not me and that's not us, and this is why that's not us, and that's why this is not me.' And I fight back against it."
Suozzi, a co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, is considered a key target for Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections. His district, located in Long Island's suburbs, was previously won by former President Donald Trump in 2024.
He suggested that Democrats should focus their campaigns on the perceived failures of the current administration's policies, citing rising costs for groceries, fuel, health insurance, and energy, as well as housing affordability challenges for young people. "I think it should be less about Trump himself. You know, when I say it should be a referendum on Trump, it should be a referendum on this administration's performance addressing the things in your life," Suozzi explained.
Republicans have sought to leverage the internal party divisions, arguing that a Democratic House majority would empower a socialist wing pushing unpopular policies. Suozzi acknowledged that this tactic could be effective, especially if he were not to distance himself from socialist platforms.
To counter this trend, Suozzi initiated "The Promise to America" initiative, which has garnered support from 10 members of Congress and is seeking endorsements from 200 state and local officials. The initiative identifies Democratic candidates who pledge to align with principles such as capitalism over socialism, safety over lawlessness, and pride in America over extremism. "So we've just got to organize, we've got to do the work necessary," Suozzi said.