GLEN COVE, NY (TIP): Earlier tonight, former Congressman Tom Suozzi participated in the Lakeville Estates Civic Association’s Meet n’ Greet in New Hyde Park. Suozzi was the singular participant in what was originally planned as a candidate forum featuring the two candidates for the NY03 special election on February 13.

According to the organizer of the forum, Mazi Pilip originally agreed to participate but then abruptly canceled, citing “other appointments.” Suozzi accepted the invitation as soon as it was received and appeared at this evening’s event, fielding and answering questions submitted by the public (read: voters).

The Lakeville Estates Civic Association represents 18,000 homeowners (read: voters) in communities such as New Hyde Park, Manhasset Hills, Herricks, and Garden City Park. “Mazi Pilip did a huge disservice to the voters who came out tonight to listen to the candidates,” said Suozzi. “Nobody knows who Mazi Pilip is or what she stands for, but instead of meeting with voters and taking their questions, she has stayed hidden.

“She blew it.”

During the hour-long forum, Suozzi answered several questions ranging from SALT to Social Security concerns to antisemitism and gun violence prevention. He touted his record of working across the aisle to deliver for Long Island and Queens, as well as talked about his 10-Point Plan that includes proposals for many of the questions posed to him during the event.

“We have many challenging issues that we face in this country and here in Nassau and Queens,” stated Suozzi. “The only way we will solve the problems is if both Republicans and Democrats work together, find common ground, and start fixing things!”

Suozzi’s campaign noted that as of today, there have been 14 news outlets or civic organizations that have sent invitations to both candidates to debate or participate in candidate forums. While Suozzi has accepted five debate invites and will likely accept more, Pilip has only accepted a single debate on News 12, exactly five days before the February 13th special election and exactly five days after early voting has begun, and not accessible to the Queens’ part of the Third Congressional District. This evening voters in NY03 witnessed firsthand what Suozzi has been saying all along, “Why is Mazi Pilip hiding?”