Who's running in New York's 3rd congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Tom Suozzi currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Reducing the tax burden on Long Island families and restoring the full state and local tax deduction.
Comprehensive border security reform; he describes the influx of undocumented migrants as unsustainable.
Reducing crime through what he calls common-sense intervention and prevention reforms.
Defending abortion rights and opposing a national abortion ban.
Climate action.
Strengthening Israel's regional security; opposing the current administration's tariffs and cuts to Medicaid and food assistance.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 3rd District since February 2024; previously held the seat from 2017 to 2023.
Nassau County executive and mayor of Glen Cove before Congress.
Attorney and certified public accountant; thirty years in public service.
Former vice chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus.
Advanced from the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary.
Arguments in favor
He works across the aisle rather than with his own leadership: a former vice chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, he "consistently showed his inclination... to work with both Republicans and Democrats to effect important changes", and he led the push to raise the SALT cap to $80,000.
— Newsday endorsement, quoted by Suozzi's campaign
His campaign is about cost rather than about Washington: "Everything is too expensive", and he opposes the tariffs, the Medicaid cuts and the threats to Long Island's drinking water and to Long Island Sound.
— Tom Suozzi's campaign
Arguments against
"When he gets to Washington, he votes and acts and thinks exactly like Nancy Pelosi... When we cut taxes on overtime, he voted for Nancy Pelosi instead of you."
— Vice President JD Vance, at a rally in Bethpage
He raised taxes as Nassau County executive — a 19.4% property tax rise the committee calls "the biggest single tax hike in Nassau history" — and in Congress voted for what it calls the largest tax increase since the Second World War, while bragging about "kicking ICE from Nassau County". As co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus he also broke its bylaws by campaigning against a Republican member of the caucus.
— National Republican Congressional Committee
What we couldn’t verify
The NRCC's characterisations of the Nassau and federal tax votes are its own; neither figure was independently verified from the sources found.
The NRCC has also raised his stock portfolio and STOCK Act disclosures; that claim is recorded here rather than presented as an argument, because no independent finding was found.
His committee assignments were not established from the sources found.
Also carries the Conservative Party line on the November ballot.
Won the June 23, 2026 Republican primary.
Arguments in favor
He is running on enforcement and public safety: "If you break the law, you will be held accountable. If you put the safety of our citizens in jeopardy, there will be consequences" — and says of the district, "people are 100% behind the blue here."
— Mike LiPetri, at a rally in Bethpage
He came within 2.5 points of the seat in 2024 and is running again on affordability, immigration enforcement, public safety and infrastructure, with Donald Trump's endorsement and a Vice-Presidential rally behind him.
— Mike LiPetri's campaign, reported by the Long Island Press
Arguments against
In the Assembly he "voted in lockstep with fellow Republicans against New York's Reproductive Health Act" and against bills to expand background checks and create extreme risk protection orders, and voted along party lines against funding for local schools, LIRR improvements and water infrastructure.
— Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, "The Case Against Mike LiPetri"
He "was implicated in a sketchy financial scheme alongside Santos" involving cryptocurrency purchases, and has been accused of inflating his résumé.
— Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, citing reporting by the New York Times and Newsday
What we couldn’t verify
LiPetri's response to the cryptocurrency and résumé claims was not established from the sources found, and no charge or finding against him was found.
His fundraising totals were not reported in material available.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
New York held its primary on June 23, 2026. Democratic incumbent Tom Suozzi faces Republican Mike LiPetri, who also carries the Conservative Party line, in this Nassau County and northeast Queens district. New York allows fusion voting. The 2026 elections use the congressional map enacted on February 28, 2024. This is a rematch: Suozzi beat LiPetri 51.7% to 48.1% in 2024, in one of 23 Democratic-held seats Donald Trump carried that year, and both national committees are spending here. Roster from the New York qualifying lists as reported by Politics1 and Wikipedia. Arguments are shown for both candidates.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A New York ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at New York State Board of Elections.