Suozzi has a stake in Jacobs’ businesses

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With help from Jason Beeferman

Former Rep. Tom Suozzi isn’t just a longtime friend of New York Democratic Chair Jay Jacobs — the two are in business together.

If there were to be a special election to fill Rep. George Santos’ congressional seat, Jacobs, who also chairs the Nassau County Dems, would have the biggest say in picking his party’s nominee.

So everyone’s been talking to Jacobs, trying to win him over, he told Playbook last week, including Suozzi.

Suozzi, meanwhile, has a 10 percent stake in two summer camp businesses owned by Jacobs and a 3 percent stake in two others.

All together, that’s valued between $150,000 and $300,000, according to Suozzi’s last financial disclosure report filed with the House. And his income from them last year was somewhere between $105,000 and just over $1 million. (Values are reported in broad ranges in the reports.)

The Long Island Democrats’ business relationship has apparently never been previously reported. The New York Times noted back in 2006 that Suozzi’s wife had a part-time job working for another part of Jacobs’ summer camp empire.

If he’s got to pick someone, Jacobs told Playbook he’s looking for the strongest candidate who’s going to do the best job when elected. And he insisted Suozzi doesn’t have any strings to pull.

“He’s a minor shareholder,” Jacobs told Playbook. “He has no influence, say, or anything else. … I don’t think, frankly, he’s ever been to the camp.” Suozzi’s campaign declined to comment.

Proof? One of the companies Suozzi invests in — HCDC Realty Corp — donated $5,000 to Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2021, just days after Suozzi launched his campaign against her.

(Jacobs’ businesses also got federal pandemic loans that were forgiven, something Suozzi voted for.)

“If anyone thinks that you invest in my business, now you own me? Take a look at some of my quotes” from last year’s gubernatorial primary, Jacobs said, because he said Suozzi’s campaign was “shockingly offensive,” and was sexist.

But if — IF — Santos leaves office, and a special election is called, some insiders have already accepted that Suozzi will be the nominee. “Unfortunately, he has the support of Jay Jacobs,” said Eleanor Lange, a Democratic booster in the district and supporter of an opposing candidate, Anna Kaplan. “We talk amongst ourselves — oh, Suozzi’s going to get in office again. It’s depressing.”

Reps. Hakeem Jeffries and Greg Meeks, the Queens Democratic leader, will have a say too, and Suozzi knows them from his six years in Congress. For Democrats shaken by Santos, Suozzi may be the safest bet. “Tom has the most name recognition,” said a Democratic consultant familiar with discussions taking place. “He’s in pole position if there’s a special.” — Jeff Coltin

IT’S TUESDAY. Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.

WHERE’S KATHY? Heading to Israel, but first with a stop at the White House to meet with White House chief of staff Jeff Zients.

WHERE’S ERIC? Appearing live on La Mega 97.9 FM, holding an in-person media availability session, meeting with the Israeli special envoy for combating antisemitism, cutting a ceremonial ribbon at a new Manhattan Target store and hosting a reception in celebration of Diwali.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Some quiet tea time with @ingridBKNY this am. … I can say with unequivocal certainty that we have true friends in this administration.” — City Council Member Inna Vernikov, posting a photo of herself with Mayor Eric Adams’ chief adviser. The X post came three days after Vernikov was arrested for gun possession.

CASH FLOWS FOR DEMS: Democrats have a distinct fundraising edge in the race to replace Santos in Nassau County and Queens — even without Suozzi as part of the math.

Democratic challengers Zak Malamed, Austin Cheng, Kaplan and Josh Lafazan made up the top four NY-3 candidates with the most cash on hand, according to newly filed campaign finance disclosures.

Republican candidates Kellen Curry, Greg Hach and Daniel Norber had the next three largest campaign war chests, the records showed.

Santos, charged last week with 10 additional crimes, is 11th on the list when it comes to cash on hand. He had $27,800 to spend as of Sept. 30; his campaign refunded more money than it took in.

Malamed, who helped found a national fundraising platform, led the field with $530,000 in the bank.

Curry, an Air Force veteran and former JPMorgan vice president, by contrast, had $244,000.

Cheng, CEO of an outpatient surgery center, and Kaplan, a former state senator, both loaned money to their campaigns.

What the Democrats rake in collectively will grow significantly with the addition of Suozzi to the race and the sides gearing up for a June primary. — Emily Ngo

BONJOUR, C’EST LE MAIRE: Did YOU get a call from Mayor Eric Adams speaking Yiddish? Or Chinese, Urdu or Spanish? It’s not really him — Adams said Monday he used an artificial intelligence tool to clone his voice and invite folks to a hiring hall in their own language.

But City Hall hasn’t shared the audio — and while Playbook reached out to leaders in Chinese and Yiddish speaking communities, nobody had heard this faked polyglotism. So, seriously, if you’ve heard it, please email or DM us.

Adams’ “creepy vanity project” was met with some criticism after all.

“While what was announced might be harmless and ultimately helpful, it seems inappropriate and irresponsible to be using this type of AI without disclaimers,” City Council Technology Committee Chair Jennifer Gutiérrez told Playbook, calling it “a missed opportunity to set the tone for the City’s use.”

Adams loves AI, but it doesn’t love him back. The Times’ Emma Fitzsimmons found that ChaptGPT said Fiorella LaGuardia was the best mayor of all time. — Jeff Coltin

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