Speaker Mike Johnson headed out east Friday to headline a vigorous fundraiser for Republican congressional hopeful Mike LiPetri — and slammed incumbent Rep. Tom Suozzi as a part of the “Marxist loopy left Democrats” making an attempt to take over the Home.
The daytime occasion on the festive Embassy Diner additionally drew Nassau County Govt Bruce Blakeman, the Republican candidate for governor — however former Yankees star Mark Teixeira, who had been billed for the occasion, was a no-show.
LiPetri boasted that his marketing campaign has “momentum” as he seeks to unseat Suozzi in CD 3, spanning elements of Nassau and Suffolk counties and Queens.
“The momentum is with us. The winds are behind us and able to push us ahead to win this seat come November 3,” LiPetri informed The Publish.
“You’re seeing socialism poison the Democratic Social gathering. And what’s much more scary is Democrats like my opponent, who will do precisely what they are saying and say nothing to face as much as them.”
Johnson throughout his speech repeatedly linked Suozzi to what he referred to as a rising “communist” takeover of the Democratic Social gathering — as waiters introduced out lobster-laden trays for attendees at the packed, family-oriented booster.
“The Democrat get together is being overtaken by communists,” Johnson mentioned. “There’s a Marxist factor you see taking place in New York as clearly as anyplace else.”
Johnson criticized Suozzi over his help of permitting transgender athletes in ladies’s sports activities and elevating the state and native tax (SALT) deduction cap and for calling on a ban on congressional inventory buying and selling.
He argued that Republicans should defend their Home majority, warning that Democrats would undo GOP accomplishments in the event that they retake the chamber.
“New York is on the heart of this technique,” Johnson mentioned. “We have now to carry the bulk as a result of the stakes are so excessive. It is a distinction election.”
LiPetri narrowly misplaced to Suozzi in 2024, failing by about 3 factors.
Johnson mentioned Republicans have a slight fundraising benefit over Democrats for the primary time in a decade, although he acknowledged the get together faces troublesome historic odds in a blue state throughout a midterm election.
Trump and Vice President JD Vance have additionally made stops on Lengthy Island this summer time to spice up LiPetri’s marketing campaign.
Blakeman used his remarks Friday to assault his opponent Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York Metropolis Mayor Zohran Mamdani, calling them “comrades” and accusing them of selling harmful insurance policies.
“We live in essentially the most overtaxed state in America,” Blakeman railed. “And now she has a brand new buddy, Zohran Mamdani, and now we name her Comrade Kathy. She endorsed him. He endorsed her.”
“The Speaker’s proper,” Blakeman went on, “These persons are harmful. They’re harmful individuals. They’re antisemitic. They’re anti-Christian. They’re anti-American.”
Suozzi marketing campaign spokesperson Kim Devlin mentioned LiPetri’s determination to marketing campaign with Johnson underscored that he can be a “rubber stamp” for President Trump’s insurance policies if LePetri makes it to Washington.
“Johnson and LiPetri would merely be rubber stamps in Washington, backing the president’s irresponsible tariffs and reckless battle in Iran which might be driving up the price of fuel, groceries and housing,” Devlin mentioned.
Hochul’s marketing campaign additionally slammed Blakeman.
“He’s making crystal clear as soon as once more that he’s totally on board with Washington Republicans’ dangerous MAGA agenda, by campaigning in the present day with Home Speaker Mike Johnson,” a rep mentioned.
