Tom Suozzi angling to replace NY Rep. George Santos

Former Rep. Tom Suozzi is “maniacally angling” for a way to return to his old House seat, pinning his hopes on being named the Democratic nominee in a special election should embattled GOP Congressman George Santos be forced out of office, sources told The Post.

“Suozzi has already gone around telling everyone and their mother that he is the guy … that [House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries] has chosen him,” said one Democratic insider.

Santos, 35, a freshman Republican representing Long Island and Queens, was exposed as a compulsive liar shortly after his election and is now facing federal charges of fraud and money laundering.

Though the scandal-scarred pol has vowed to run for reelection, most statewide liberals expect him to resign from Congress — possibly as part of a plea deal.

Several of Santos’ own GOP colleagues have publicly called on him to resign.

A second Dem who spoke with Suozzi said the former Congressman was “maniacally lobbying to get back in” and “calling around telling everybody that Hakeem wants me.”

Suozzi declined to comment.

Suozzi represented the seat in Congress for three terms.

He routinely won with comfortable majorities and in 2020 bested Santos by 12 points.

He is seen as a safe bet to take on whoever the Republicans end up fielding — but he has powerful enemies.

Suozzi left Congress to pursue a longshot primary challenge to Gov. Hochul in 2022.

He came in a distant third with just 13% of the vote — but his tough campaign ads and lackluster support of Hochul in her close race against Lee Zeldin, the GOP candidate, left lasting bitterness, people close to her say.

“The governor is not enamored with Tom Suozzi that is pretty obvious,” said another person who spoke with her recently — but added that her top priority was electability. “I think Democrats are going to be focused on who is the best candidate to win in that race. Whomever that is, they are going to coalesce behind.”

A Santos resignation would trigger a special election, bypassing primaries and allowing party leaders to select their nominees.

Jay Jacobs, the chair of the Nassau County Democratic party, controls the votes necessary to choose the next candidate.

His GOP counterpart, Joe Cairo, previous told The Post he was being inundated with eager Republicans looking to run in a special election.

But Jacobs remains deeply unpopular with the party’s left wing who continue to blame him for the party’s disastrous performance in the 2022 midterms.

As such, he cannot afford to name anyone who would alienate the governor.

Jacobs’ allies have blamed surging crime and unpopular left wing policies such as bail reform, for the wipeout.

In addition to Suozzi, State Sen. Anna Kaplan and communications executive Robert Zimmerman are also reportedly angling for the seat.

“Tom is a friend of mine, but I am not making any commitment right now. I have other friends who have indicated an interest in running and we’re going to take a fair and complete look at this if and when we do have a special election,” Jacobs said.

Reps for Jeffries and Hochul declined to comment.

Santos laughed off the speculation entirely — and again insisted he wasn’t going anywhere.

“I have no plans to resign,” he told The Post. “I’m still running.”