Kaiman, Zimmerman Launch Bids for US Congress
By Priya Persaud
With the new district lines for the now highly-Gerrymandered 3rd congressional district approved by the one-party NYS Democratic legislature, two leading Democrats, former North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman and Democratic National Committeeman Robert Zimmerman, have jumped into the race to succeed Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove), who is now running for Governor.
Kaiman, the former Supervisor of North Hempstead Town Supervisor, from 2004 through 2013, who currently serves as the Deputy County Executive of Suffolk County, was the first to enter the race.
Kaiman’s platform includes adapting laws to provide better resources for judges when imposing bail. Also, he supports the increased involvement of police personnel to ensure community safety.
"I look and see where the Democratic Party has gone and I have grave concerns. I think that we have lurched into uncharted territory taking us into extreme positions." Stated Kaiman. “We must move forward with reform by working with advocates and experts, but also with the police command structure, police personnel, and their union representatives.”
Zimmerman, a Great Neck-based Democratic National Committee member, hopes to defeat Kaiman in the Democratic primary and secure the Democrats nomination for the third Congressional District seat being vacated by Rep. Tom Suozzi.
Previously, Zimmerman worked on Capitol Hill as a congressional aide for Congressmen Lester Wolff, James Scheuer, and Gary Ackerman. Also, he was nominated by President Barack Obama to work on the National Council on the Humanities.
Zimmerman is the co-president of ZE Creative Communications. Fundamental issues he prioritizes include women’s reproductive health, climate change, Medicare for all, gun safety, and supporting the local and state tax deduction on federal taxes.
Zimmerman has received endorsements from former North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth and council members Veronica Lurvey and Peter Zuckerman. Retired Councilwoman Lee Seeman and former County Legislator Ellen Birnbaum have also pledged their support.
Kaiman has been endorsed by former Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer Jon Cooper.
“With immense government knowledge, decades of experience, and relationships with officials across the country, Robert Zimmerman is uniquely qualified to represent us,” stated Bosworth.
Several lesser candidates are also running, including Reema Rasool, an Oyster Bay Democrat who ran for Town Board and, if elected, would be the first Indian-American elected to Congress from New York; Nassau Legislator Joshua Lafazan, who barely won re-election in November after being denounced as a “racist” by Long Island’s NAACP leaders and just switched his party registration to Democrat last month; and Melanie D’Arrigo, a Port Washington progressive activist Democrat, who aggressively challenged Suozzi for the Democratic nomination two years ago, garnering an impressive 38% on primary election day.
The Democratic primary election will be held in June, and petitions to get on the ballot will be circulated at the end of February.