Biaggi Running For Congress As Sound Shore Joins LI, Queens

PELHAM, NY — New York State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (D-Pelham) announced Monday she's running for Congress in NY District 3, becoming the latest candidate to join what is set to be a crowded Democratic primary in a significantly revamped district.

One of them made a campaign stop at the Larchmont Metro-North Station even before the maps had been approved.

The 3rd Congressional District now includes Pelham, New Rochelle, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Rye, Rye Brook and Port Chester in Westchester County. An eastern sliver of the Bronx was also added to a narrower stretch of Nassau County's North Shore, parts of northeastern Queens, and parts of northwestern Suffolk County. SEE: New Congressional Maps Affect Hudson Valley Representation.

The Sound Shore had been in District 16, held by freshman Rep. Jamaal Bowman, of Yonkers, who had defeated longtime Rep. Eliot Engel in the Democratic primary in 2020.

The seat is being vacated by Rep. Tom Suozzi. (D-Glen Cove), who has his sights set on the New York governor's office.

Biaggi, 35, said the district "deserves an experienced progressive leader in Congress who isn't afraid to hold powerful people accountable, and who will fight on behalf of hardworking New Yorkers every single day."

"Our country doesn't just need more Democrats in Washington — we need bolder ones," Biaggi said. "I'm running for Congress in NY-03 to bring progressive and honest leadership to the frontlines of our country's most important fights."

The issues she sees as priorities include combating climate change, expanding voting rights, enacting universal Pre-K, and increasing the state and local tax deduction on federal taxes.

Biaggi was first elected to the State Senate in 2018, after defeating longtime, powerful State Sen. Jeff Klein. SEE: Biaggi Wins Over Klein In 34th Senate District.

She now joins a growing field of Democrats running for Suozzi's House seat. The race includes former North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman, Nassau County Legislator Joshua Lafazan, Port Washington's Melanie D'Arrigo, Oyster Bay's Reema Rasool, and Great Neck's Robert Zimmerman.

The Democratic primary is June 28; early voting will be June 18 – 26.

Suozzi announced his run for governor in November. SEE: Rep. Tom Suozzi To Run For Governor. He ran for governor in 2006 but lost to Eliot Spitzer in the primary. A two-term U.S. congressman, he won re-election in 2020 in a tough race against political newcomer George A.D. Santos.

by Patch Editor Alessia Grunberger. Patch Editor Lanning Taliaferro contributed to this report.