Ex-New York Rep. and current candidate Tom Suozzi raised doubts Monday about whether elderly fellow Democrat President Biden will last long enough to continue running in November.
“The bottom line is, he’s old. He’s 81 years old. … Let’s see what happens between now and the Democratic convention,” said Suozzi, who is running against Long Island Republican Mazi Pilip in Tuesday’s special election to replace the expelled ex-Rep. George Santos, to Fox 5’s Good Day New York.
Suozzi, a former Nassau County executive and three-term Democratic congressman, was asked about a poll released Sunday that found 86% of Americans believe Biden is too old to serve a second term.
“I know 81-year-old people who are in great shape. I know 81-year-olds that are not in great shape. He’s old — no question about it,” Suozzi told hosts Rosanna Scotto and Curt Menefee.
The candidate then gave Biden a not-so-ringing endorsement when asked if he supports his re-election.
“If he ends up being the Democratic nominee, I’m likely to support him, yes,” Suozzi said.
Suozzi, asked about speculation over whether Biden may not be the Democratic nominee, acknowledged it’s a legitimate issue and it’s a possibility the president may not run again.
“There’s all kind of debate as to whether or not he’s going to stick it out or not. I don’t have any inside scoop or anything like that,” Suozzi said.
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He added, “Let’s see what happens between now and the Democratic convention.”
Suozzi said he did not seek Biden’s endorsement for the local pol’s the special election in the Third District covering Nassau County and parts of northern Queens.
Polls show that Biden is unpopular in the district and trails former Republican President Donald Trump in a rematch among voters there.
Polls show a neck-and-neck contest between Pilip, a Nassau County legislator, and Suozzi ahead of Tuesday’s election.
