Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY-03) endorsed state Senate District 7 Democratic candidate Kim Keiserman, a Port Washington resident campaigning for greater school funding, reproductive rights and lowering taxes.
Keiserman faces fellow Democrat Brad Schwartz in the race to replace state Sen. Jack Martins, a Republican, who is running for re-election.
“Kim Keiserman has been a tireless fighter for Long Islanders, taking on tough challenges and working to strengthen our community,” Suozzi said in a statement. “She’s a refreshing voice for Nassau County, focused on increasing affordability, delivering for our public schools, and keeping us safe because she truly cares about the people she’s running to represent. She has my full endorsement in this race.”
Keiserman said Suozzi’s endorsement comes as an honor.
“Congressman Suozzi is a proven leader who knows how to work together to find common ground and get things done for the people he represents,” Keiserman said in a statement. “His laser focus on solutions-based legislating is the kind of model I hope to emulate in the State Senate.”
Keiserman and Schwartz are the only Democrats running in the race, and the winner of the primary will face off against Martins – the only Republican running.
Schwartz, who ran in the 2018 race but dropped out before the primary against former state Sen. Anna Kaplan, is a former television editor and producer with a Ph.D in public policy.
The district, which includes much of the North Shore and the Town of Oyster Bay as far east as Woodbury, is currently represented by Martins, who flipped the district red in 2022.
Suozzi joins a long list of fellow Long Island Democrats who have backed Keiserman in her race for state Senate.
Keiserman has garnered endorsements by many local Democratic leaders present and past, including former Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth, former Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, Nassau County and New York State Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs, state Assemblymember Gina Sillitti, former state Sen. Anna Kaplan, Democratic National Committeeman Robert Zimmerman and Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton.
Former Nassau Legislator Joshua Lafazan was previously in the state Senate District 7 race, running against Keiserman, but pulled out in March. In his announcement suspending his campaign, he extended his support for Keiserman in the race.
Lafazan was ousted from his seat in the Nassau County Legislature in November when he was defeated by his Republican opponent, Samantha Goetz.
Keiserman is an education consultant and serves as a commissioner for the North Hempstead Housing Authority Board of Commissioners and is the chairwoman of the Baxter Estates Planning Board.
She also is co-president of the Baxter’s Pond Foundation and president of the Port Washington Democratic Club.
Her campaign platform encompasses advocating for reproductive rights, investing in public education, fostering gun safety legislation, lowering taxes and bolstering affordability, protecting the environment and standing up against bigotry.
Keiserman’s intent in running is to give Long Island a seat at the table at the state level to ensure their voices are heard, according to her campaign.
The primary election for party nominees is June 25. The general election will then be held on Nov. 5.
