Glen Cove Mayor Race

[Machiavelli]

Does anyone know if there is truth behind the rumor that "cousin" Ralph Suozzi is running as an independent against Mary Ann Holzkamp for mayor of Glen Cove because he was passed over for a spot on the council by the Dems? Is there a family squabble now that Uncle Jimmy is out of the controller position?

[The Prince]

I donno Tom, it's your family! Blood is blood, support them.

[cosmo kramer]

Ralphie boy is up and running!

[observing in GC]

As per what I hear, Ralph Suozzi who is Tom's first cousin, has collected over 800 signatures for his big independent run for Mayor. He has the Democratic city machine and Tom up in arms. I also hear that Tom has made it clear that he wants Ralph to drop his run for Mayor. Stay tuned!

As per what I hear, Ralph Suozzi who is Tom's first cousin, has collected over 800 signatures for his big independent run for Mayor. He has the Democratic city machine and Tom up in arms. I also hear that Tom has made it clear that he wants Ralph to drop his run for Mayor. Stay tuned!

F-CK you Tom, go for it Ralph

[Ralph and tom]

From the same crappy lineage.

From the same crappy lineage.


For sure

[Glen Cove Observer]

Despite the Newsday article today to the contrary (below), I hear that Tom willl work behind the scenes to help out cousin Ralph. It'll be interesting to see where Tom's long-term supporters line up in this race.


----------------------------------------------------------------
Mayoral election causes political rift for Suozzis

Three Suozzis have been elected Glen Cove mayor in the last 50 years. Now, a 4th is running — but County Exec Tom opposes cousin Ralph’s run

BY KEIKO MORRIS
STAFF WRITER

August 21, 2005

That Ralph Suozzi is running for mayor of Glen Cove comes as no surprise.

The Suozzi family has long been a staple of the city's Democratic politics.

Ralph's uncle Joseph Suozzi, a partner in a politically powerful Mineola law firm that carries his name, served as mayor in the 1950s. His father, Vincent "Jimmy" Suozzi, Joseph's brother, headed the city in the 1970s and '80s. And his cousin Tom, Joseph's son, served four terms as Glen Cove mayor before becoming Nassau County executive in 2001.

But the family and political ties binding the Suozzi family for generations loosened last week when Ralph announced his intention to run as a third-party mayoral candidate against Tom's Democratic choice, incumbent Mary Ann Holzkamp.

Once the news broke, Tom -- who is facing re-election as county executive in November and mulling a gubernatorial bid in 2006 -- mustered only a terse public response, sent by e-mail, offering his affection but not his endorsement. "I love my cousin," Tom wrote, "But I endorse Mary Ann Holzkamp and the current members of the city council because of the work they have done and will continue to do." He declined further comment.

If this year's Glen Cove mayoral race is as close as the last, the county executive could find himself in the delicate position of campaigning for Holzkamp against his cousin, a long-time political supporter whose wedding to Jane Beckhard-Suozzi he officiated.

"Tom can't win," said one longtime Democratic insider who asked to remain anonymous. "If he endorses the home ticket too strongly then he hurts members of his family. And if he doesn't endorse Mary Ann too strongly then he has local Democrats mad at him. Suffice to say this isn't the ideal situation for Tom in an election year."

Ralph Suozzi acknowledges that his candidacy on the Glen Cove Voters ticket against Holzkamp and Republican candidate Drew Fonrose could make matters difficult for his cousin. But he insists it's nothing personal. He's running, he said, against Holzkamp.

"It would be easier if I didn't run," he said. "But the easy way is not the right way all the time. There are no tensions or anything like that. I'm not running against my cousin, but I'm running against the leadership."

Serious politics

Glen Cove is a small city where politics is played seriously. So rumors of Ralph's candidacy ran rampant for much of the summer. Still, the announcement he intended to submit nominating petitions stunned friends and foes, including Mayor Holzkamp.

Ralph Suozzi, 49, will not discuss or even characterize the conversation he had with Tom, 42, about the mayor's race. But he said his run for mayor stems from a long-standing interest in public service and his desire to turn around the financial outlook of the city. Last year, Moody's Investors Service downgraded Glen Cove's bond rating two notches.

In forwarding his campaign, Ralph cites his experience in business working for CBS, American Express and now in the project management office for a Syosset manufacturer. He also was a former Glen Cove firefighter.

But being a Suozzi hasn't always helped Ralph's political career.

Ralph worked on campaigns, including his cousin's, and has been a lifelong Democratic committee member. Yet he lost his 1989 city council bid.

Last year, Ralph expressed interest in a city council seat left open when Tom's candidate Charles Lavine was elected to the state Assembly. But Holzkamp offered Ralph a lesser post on the planning or zoning board. Ralph turned down the offer. Holzkamp said she wanted Ralph to gain more experience. Ralph confirmed that account but said he also was told by Holzkamp the public might think that his cousin, Tom, was running the city if Ralph was appointed.

"It was a political decision but it is her administration and it's her call," Ralph said, adding that he never expected anything because of his family name. "I no longer desire a council seat. I realized on that day that the decisions being made at the top were political and self-serving and that this is where I could exert the most influence."

Deep political roots

Political roots run deep within the Suozzi family tree, stretching back to the patriarch, Tom and Ralph's grandfather Michele Suozzi. An Italian immigrant in 1913, Michele would speak to the Italian community on behalf of the Republicans before he switched parties.

Michele and his wife Rosa Ciampa had four children, the eldest of which, Joseph, graduated from Harvard Law School, returning home to pursue politics and later becoming the first of the Suozzi family to serve as mayor of Glen Cove from 1956-60. He had a distinguished career as a State Supreme Court and Appellate judge.

Then Joseph's brother, Vincent Suozzi, an accountant who until January held the position as Glen Cove's comptroller, won five terms as mayor.

"It rubbed off," Jimmy Suozzi said, chuckling, about how his father's political interests resonated within the family.

Jimmy denies hard feelings and said he still supports nephew Tom. Still, his allegiance lies with his son, Ralph. "He's got to take the bull by the horns," Jimmy Suozzi said. "He's got to be his own man."

As the campaign heats up this fall, Holzkamp said she will treat her mentor's cousin as just "another candidate," emphasizing that she has steered the cleanup and development of the waterfront Tom Suozzi initiated in the 1990s and brought businesses to the city.

Political insiders wonder if Ralph Suozzi could become a spoiler, pulling Democratic votes away from Holzkamp.

"It will only serve to confuse people and benefit the Republican candidate," said Jay Jacobs, Nassau Democratic chairman, who is part of Tom"s inner circle.

But Ralph Suozzi said he doesn"t see himself as a spoiler.

"At the local level I don't believe parties should have that great an influence," Ralph Suozzi said. "I want to make this election about candidates and not about the party."

And, he added, not about his cousin.

"It's my first name that's just as important as my last name," he said.

[set2374]

For those of you out there who have watched the Godfather Saga at least once (or multiple times as I have), I believe Ralph should change his name to Fredo. Poor Ralph didn't get the city council job he believed he was "entitled" to... poor Ralph, the older cousin, isn't in the limelight like his baby cousin Tom... poor Ralph isn't getting the support he needs. It's time to "grow up". Ralph's decision to run in this election is capricious and selfish. Ralph hasn't held a public position yet and, aside from some consulting work, doesn't have much of a resume from what I can tell. The only thing he has is the last name. He should bow out now and wait his turn. Political positions are NOT a birth right!!!

[107NORTH]

Ya know, set2374 may be right. How dare someone without political experience attempt to jump on board and actually work in local government, ready for this....., to actually do good and help the people around him. I say go for it Ralph! Wouldn't it be something if a Suozzi actually FIXED the financial situation of the city of Glen Cove? Best of luck Ralph.

For those of you out there who have watched the Godfather Saga at least once (or multiple times as I have), I believe Ralph should change his name to Fredo. Poor Ralph didn't get the city council job he believed he was "entitled" to... poor Ralph, the older cousin, isn't in the limelight like his baby cousin Tom... poor Ralph isn't getting the support he needs. It's time to "grow up". Ralph's decision to run in this election is capricious and selfish. Ralph hasn't held a public position yet and, aside from some consulting work, doesn't have much of a resume from what I can tell. The only thing he has is the last name. He should bow out now and wait his turn. Political positions are NOT a birth right!!!

"Ralph hasn't held a public position yet and, aside from some consulting work, doesn't have much of a resume from what I can tell."

Sounds like Tricia Ferrell. Who Tom and the party has put there full support behind for a much higher office. You guys can's have it both ways.

[Glen Cove Observer]

I read that Ralph has said that he will work with any City Council elected, Democrat or Republican... Any idea whether Ralph plans on changing personnel if he's elected? Would he keep the Deputy Mayor and Department Heads (aside from appointing his dad controller again, of course). I can see it now, Uncle Jimmy makes a triumphant return to City Hall, sits at his desk for 5 or 10 minutes and then leaves to go play golf...

And here's another question, if Ralph wins, will Tom do the swearing in ceremony? I think Newsday should find a way to force Tom to answer this hypothetical question... oh, the drama!!!

:lol: