DEFIANT SUOZZI: I'D TAKE GOP GOV NOD

Saturday, January 14, 2006
By FREDRIC U. DICKER in Albany and STEFAN C. FRIEDMAN in N.Y. 

ALBANY - A defiant Tom Suozzi yesterday said he would welcome Republican backing in his race for governor - even as he seeks to defeat Eliot Spitzer in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. 

"I'd accept a cross-endorsement, who wouldn't?" said Suozzi, the Nassau County executive who yesterday announced creation of a campaign committee for governor. 

Suozzi said he would accept Republican support despite a crescendo of criticism from backers of Attorney General Spitzer, who have urged him to rule out the possibility of running on the rival party's line, a scenario GOP insiders say has been under discussion. 

Suozzi, who has confirmed being approached by Republicans about running for governor, called many of his Democratic critics "hypocrites" because, he said, they had backed Democratic candidates in the past who have accepted GOP support. 

Seven Democratic county chairmen who back Spitzer, including Reginald Lafayette of Westchester and John Lavelle of Staten Island, were among those blasting Suozzi for being open to Republican support, insisting in a statement yesterday, "A good Democrat would never even consider doing such a thing. 

"It demonstrates a shocking lack of party loyalty and principles." 

The Post disclosed earlier this week that high-level Republicans, fearful the GOP won't have a strong candidate to run against Spitzer, were discussing the possibility of having their party endorse Suozzi. 

Suozzi confirmed an approach from Republicans, although state GOP Chairman Stephen Minarik insisted that no such approach had been authorized. 

Spitzer, meanwhile, chided Suozzi for his flirtation with the GOP. 

"I am proud to receive support from individuals of other parties," Spitzer said, "but I will run as a Democrat." 

"I would not consider running as anything but a Democrat because I believe in the principles of this great party," Spitzer said at a City Hall press conference, where he received the endorsement of former Mayor David Dinkins. 

Spitzer, meanwhile, contended he welcomed Suozzi's entry into the gubernatorial race, insisting: "I believe in vigorous debate in a campaign. I look forward to that." 

Suozzi said he would hold a series of meetings across the state over the next few weeks to discuss his gubernatorial campaign. 

"It has become painfully clear to me that local taxes, especially property taxes - 72 percent above the national average, the highest in the nation - are crushing the residents I serve in Nassau County, as well as residents throughout Long Island and the state," Suozzi said. 

"There will never be effective solutions to reduce property taxes, especially school taxes, as well as improve low-performing schools and create high-paying jobs, unless we fix Albany," Suozzi said.