Former Democratic representative Tom Suozzi beat state representative Mazi Pilip this Tuesday in the special election for the third district in New York for the House of Representatives, to occupy the seat of George Santos, who was expelled from Congress on December 1 .
Suozzi's victory
reduces the already slim Republican majority in the House of Representatives by one seat
, making legislative work going forward even more difficult.
And it could serve as a guide for Democrats competing in similarly competitive districts this fall, especially when it comes to navigating their political vulnerability on immigration and border security.
The battle for District 3, which includes the suburbs of Long Island and a small corner of Queens, became a preview of the political strategies that both parties could use in the fall, and to do so the campaigns rehearsed messages about immigration, abortion and public safety.
Former Representative Tom Suozzi, during a campaign event in Plainview, New York, on February 11, 2024. Associated Press
Suozzi, who previously represented the district for three terms, campaigned in the center and distanced himself from progressive policies that have not worked well on Long Island, while presenting himself as a dealmaker who can work with the Republican Party.
Republicans sought to link Suozzi to criticism of President Joe Biden's federal immigration policy, a
political vulnerability for Democrats
due to the continued influx of immigrants into New York.
Democrats framed the battle around abortion rights, a centerpiece of their electoral strategy.
Suozzi spent much of the campaign talking about the need to strengthen immigration policy.
He said he would support a temporary closure of the U.S.-Mexico border to stem the flow of migrants into the city, signaling that Democrats recognize the political pressures surrounding the issue.
"He has the same values as me: doing things but taking into account those in need. He represents the majority of the middle class," said Jeanne DeChiaro, who voted for Suozzi and stated that his most important issues were abortion, immigration , the economy and "the ability to be bipartisan."
Pilip was born in Ethiopia but left the country at age 12 as part of Operation Solomon, when Israel airlifted some 14,500 Ethiopian Jews to Israel in less than two days as civil war raged in the Horn of Africa.
Mazi Pilip, Representative for Nassau County, New York, speaks in Jericho, New York, on February 5, 2024.Associaete Press
As an adult, she served in the Israeli Army and moved to the United States after marrying a Ukrainian-American doctor in 2005. In 2021, Pilip was elected representative for Nassau County, New York.
Although Pilip publicly identifies as a Republican and won her county seat under the Republican banner, she is actually a registered Democrat.
She has explained that she registered as a Democrat when she came to the United States, but she has moved away from the party
as she has become more liberal
.
A campaign spokesperson said Pilip intends to change her affiliation after the election.
Despite having been an immigrant, Pilip attacked Suozzi and Biden for their immigration policy.
He advocated for increased border enforcement to stop illegal immigration, as well as the construction of a border wall.
Suozzi counterattacked Pilip on abortion, arguing that she could not be trusted to protect abortion rights in places like New York, where it remains legal.
Pilip said that he is personally against abortion, but that he would not impose his beliefs on others and that he would oppose any attempt by Congress to impose a national ban.
He also said mifepristone, the so-called abortion pill, should be available nationwide.
New York's current 3rd congressional district was created about a year and a half ago, but it has been a key point in a battle raging across the country between Democrats and Republicans over redistricting and, ultimately, control of the United States House of Representatives.
In 2022, a New York court rejected a map drawn up by Democratic lawmakers as unconstitutionally manipulated.
That plan was replaced by a much more Republican-friendly map that created the current 3rd District and played
a key role in the election of Santos
and other New York Republicans, whose victories helped Republicans regain control of the House of Representatives.
However, District 3 in its current form will cease to exist early next year, after New York's highest court ordered the drawing of another congressional map for this year's elections.
The resolution that finally led to the expulsion of Santos on December 1 was approved by 311 votes in favor compared to 114 against: 105 Republicans supported the expulsion.
It was just before Thanksgiving last year that Santos began to lose significant support, after the House Ethics Committee issued a devastating 56-page report against him.
In the report, Santos was accused of misleading his donors, filing
false financial statements and using campaign money
to finance his lavish lifestyle.
Santos is now the sixth legislator to be expelled by his colleagues in the 230-year history of the US Congress, making it an exceptional measure that was unprecedented in Santos' case, as he had not been convicted of any crime.
Both Republicans and Democrats had introduced resolutions to expel Santos from the House, but he had survived two previous attempts this year: one in May and another a month ago.
With information from
The Associated Press