NY 3rd Congressional District Democratic Primary: What To Know

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — Democratic residents of the 3rd Congressional District can head to the polls on Tuesday to vote for one of five candidates in their party's primary.

The seat is being vacated by centrist Rep. Tom Suozzi, who unsuccessfully ran for governor.

The candidates are...

Nassau County Legislator Josh Lafazan

• He is endorsed by Suozzi
• He is the party's top fundraiser with $1.6 million
• At the age of 23, Lafazan became Nassau County's youngest-ever legislator upon his election in November 2017 (he currently represents Nassau's 18th Legislative District)
• Among his top issues are preserving a woman's right to have an abortion, pushing for gun safety reform (i.e., universal background checks, banning assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines), and supporting a two-state solution in Israel

Robert Zimmerman

• He is a longtime Democratic National Committee member from Great Neck
• He has raised almost as much money as Lafazan, with $1.4 million
• If elected, Zimmerman would be the first openly gay representative to Congress from District 3
• The issues he sees as priorities include LGBTQ+ rights, Medicare for all, women's reproductive health, gun safety, a two-state solution in the Middle East, climate change, and addressing the state and local tax deduction on federal taxes
• He has been endorsed by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, NYS AFL-CIO, a number of current and past members of New York's congressional delegation, and more

Jon Kaiman

• He was the Town of North Hempstead's supervisor from 2004 to 2013
• He currently serves as the deputy executive for Suffolk County (he has held that position since 2017)
• Among his top issues are ensuring every American has the right and ability to vote, restoring SALT deductions, pushing for reproductive freedom, fighting climate change, and championing a two-state solution in Israel
• He has been endorsed by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, former District Attorney Tim Sini, former and current North Hempstead councilmembers, and more
• He has raised nearly $644,000

Melanie D'Arrigo

• She touts herself as a progressive Democrat who will protect reproductive rights, push for an end to gun violence, strive to eliminate education inequalty, fight for stronger unions, and more
• A community organizer and non-profit co-founder, D'Arrigo has been endorsed by Everytown, Working Families Party, Friends of the Earth Action, Indivisible, and more
• To date, she has raised less than $392,000

Reema Rasool

• She is a business builder and community organizer from Oyster Bay
• The issues she sees as priorities include Medicare for all, LGBTQ+ rights, women's reproductive health, gun safety, and climate change

Whichever of the five Democrats wins, they will be facing Republican George Santos in the general election in November.

To check your party registration and find where your polling place is, click here.