Two Other Democrats Also Announce
On Feb. 18, State Senator Alessandra Biaggi announced endorsements from twelve of her New York State Senator colleagues, including Sen. Pete Harckham from Westchester in her bid for Congress in the newly drawn NY-3 district, which includes Westchester and parts of Long Island. The current Congressmember in NY-3, Rep. Tom Suozzi, is running for Governor, leaving an open seat.
“I am honored to receive endorsements from twelve of my Senate colleagues. Over the past three years, we have worked together to meaningfully deliver for New Yorkers from codifying Roe v. Wade, to passing sweeping tenant protections and groundbreaking climate legislation. My time in Albany was shaped by the partnerships and friendships I built with these Senators, and I am so grateful to have their support behind my campaign for Congress,” said Senator Alessandra Biaggi.
“Alessandra Biaggi is a dedicated, intelligent and tenacious public servant. During her time in the State Senate, she proved to be a colleague with a penchant for details and a readiness to assist residents—in her district and statewide—on any issue. I heartily endorse Senator Biaggi in her campaign for New York’s 3rd Congressional District: she will bring her trademark conviction and commitment to the position,” said Senator Pete Harckham.
Biaggi will have two opponents for the seat in a June democratic primary. Melanie D’Arringo, a self described organizer, activist, and mother of three from the Bronx, and Nassau County Legislator Joshua Lafazan, are both running and raising money.
D’Arrigo recently received the endorsement of former New York City Council Speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito. “We are at a pivotal moment for our democracy, and we need true champions for working families to represent our communities in Congress – Melanie D’Arrigo is exactly that,” said Melissa Mark-Viverito. “In this Congress, we have seen corporate Democrats sell out our communities for their donors. Working families in the Bronx hurt when the Child Tax Credit was allowed to expire and their health is impacted when Medicare for All is not passed.”
“Melissa Mark-Viverito made history and fought for progress as the first Latina Speaker of the New York City Council, and I am humbled to have her support for our campaign,” said Melanie D’Arrigo, who ran against Rep. Suozzi for Congress in 2020, getting nearly 30% of the vote despite being outspent 9 to 1. D’Arrigo has a large number of progressive endorsements, including from Empire State Indivisible, Progressive Women of NY, New York Progressive Action Network and Zephyr Teachout.
Nassau County Legislator Joshua Lafazan, who recently won re-election to his county board seat in the 18th district. “The proposed third congressional district is still more than 60 percent based on Long Island and it deserves a pragmatic Democrat to represent it in Washington. Legislator Lafazan has the energy and the enthusiasm to criss-cross the entire new district from end to end, talking with voters and explaining his vision for what he will do as their next member of Congress,” said the Lafazan campaign in a statement.
Biaggi’s campaign will not have the endorsement of the NYS Demoratic Chair Jay Jacobs, who also serves as the dem. chair for Nassau County. Jacobs said recently that he will not endorse Biaggi in a democratic primary because, “If someone chooses to educate voters about her record, it will be a problem for her in this district.”
