Rep. Tom Suozzi will skip a Saturday campaign event on Long Island with Gov. Kathy Hochul, adding another conspicuous absence as Democratic candidates distance themselves from the unpopular governor. His campaign blamed a scheduling conflict and said the congressman was already committed elsewhere.

Suozzi’s campaign told The Post that the congressman, now serving his fifth term, was “fully booked” and could not attend the Nassau County Young Democrats’ Bus Tour and Canvass Launch. “Congressman Suozzi’s schedule is set weeks in advance and he is fully booked all weekend,” a spokesperson said Friday.

The absence comes as Hochul campaigns for reelection against Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman on November 3. Two other Democrats running in closely watched House races have already created distance between themselves and the state party leader.

Democratic challenger Cait Conley delivered the most embarrassing moment during a Putnam County VFW forum Tuesday night. Republican Rep. Mike Lawler closed his speech by declaring, “We need a new governor. Kathy Hochul has to go.”

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After Lawler handed her the microphone, Conley immediately responded, “I have to tell you: I’m in absolute agreement with my opponent.” She then told the conservative leaning audience that New York was “screwing you over.”

BREAKING: Republican Mike Lawler and his Democrat challenger Cait Conley both say that New York needs a new governor and that it's time for Kathy Hochul to go. https://t.co/aYV8z1p2Zw

— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) October 16, 2026

Democrat Blake Gendebien also refused to say whether he would vote for or support Hochul when questioned by a Utica area radio station on October 8. Gendebien is running against Republican Anthony Constantino to replace retiring Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik in the 21st House District.

“What I support is anyone that will help the North Country be absolutely successful,” Gendebien said. The Cook Political Report has rated that district as likely Republican, while the contest between Lawler and Conley in the 17th House District is considered a toss up.

Suozzi faces Republican Michael LiPetri Jr. in the 3rd Congressional District, which leans Democratic but is considered competitive as Democrats try to reclaim the House of Representatives. Suozzi previously served as Nassau County executive and challenged Hochul in the 2022 Democratic gubernatorial primary.

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Suozzi said he had a standing “dim sum meet-and-greet” event Saturday morning that prevented him from joining Hochul. Rep. Laura Gillen, another Nassau County incumbent, plans to attend as she faces Republican Jeanine Driscoll in the Democratic leaning 4th House District.

Neither Gillen nor Suozzi listed Hochul’s endorsement on their campaign websites. Gillen previously criticized Hochul for supporting socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Recent Siena University polling offered a blunt explanation for why suburban and upstate Democrats may not be eager to advertise their ties to Hochul. Although she held a large advantage over Blakeman in New York City, her lead narrowed to 48% against 46% in the downstate suburbs.

Those suburbs include Long Island, Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties. In the 21st District, the poll conducted last month showed Hochul trailing Blakeman 40% to 55%.

The same survey found that 48% of voters viewed Hochul favorably and 48% viewed her unfavorably. Her job approval also remained below 50%, with 48% approving and 47% disapproving.

Hochul bristled when asked whether Conley’s comments showed that the governor was hurting other Democrats on the ballot. “I really don’t lose a lot of sleep over other people’s debates,” Hochul told reporters, adding, “I don’t really care about how Mike Lawler characterizes something.”

Hochul claimed Conley had clarified her remarks. Conley’s campaign accused Lawler of “lying in a desperate attempt to save face” and insisted Conley had been agreeing that New York small business owners needed more support, though Conley still called Hochul to apologize.

Politico first reported that apology Friday. Conley campaign spokesperson Maddy Rosen said Conley had a call with Hochul to resolve misunderstandings and “looks forward to winning together on November 3rd.”

Hochul’s campaign told Politico it “was prepared” to support Conley during the final days of the race, but Conley’s campaign did not answer when asked whether it would accept. Hochul later said, “I want my candidates to win, and that’s all I’m going to say about it, I want my candidates to win.”

Former state Sen. David Carlucci, now a political strategist, said candidates can disagree with party leaders while still working with them. “You don’t have to agree with Governor Hochul or President Trump to work with them. Good leaders know how to find common ground without surrendering their principles,” he said.

State Democratic Party chairman Jay Jacobs defended Hochul, saying she has made “unprecedented” investments to help Democrats. “She’s a true team player who’s boosting candidates across the state, investing in a strong statewide coordinated campaign so that all 62 counties can hear from us,” Jacobs said.

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