Democrat Tom Suozzi emerged victorious in the special election held in New York’s Third Congressional District, replacing the disgraced former Congressman George Santos. The Associated Press reported that Suozzi defeated Republican Mazi Pilip in the race, further narrowing the GOP’s already slim majority in the House of Representatives.
Santos, who was expelled from the House in December, faced a litany of criminal charges, including wire fraud, money laundering, and lying to Congress. Additional counts, such as conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States and theft of public funds, were added to his case in October. Prior to his expulsion, Santos was also found to have misused campaign funds for personal expenses, including OnlyFans subscriptions, Botox, and luxury accessories.
Suozzi had previously defeated Santos in the 2020 election, but Santos contested the results, echoing baseless claims of election manipulation. In 2022, Santos managed to turn the traditionally Democratic district red, defeating Democrat Robert Zimmerman. However, reports soon surfaced questioning Santos’ professional and personal background, including allegations of fabricating his resume and ancestry.
The special election between Suozzi and Pilip, a registered Democrat running as a Republican, was seen as a significant test for upcoming down-ballot elections. Immigration, abortion, and the Israel-Hamas conflict dominated policy discussions leading up to the vote. Suozzi, known for his moderate stance and membership in the Problem Solvers Caucus, aimed to win over independent and conservative-leaning voters disillusioned by Santos’ scandals.
Pilip, backed by the Nassau County Republicans, sought to reestablish the party’s influence following Santos’ controversies. Nassau County GOP Chair Joseph G. Cairo Jr. personally selected Pilip as the Republican candidate and provided campaign support. The county party’s efforts to boost Pilip’s campaign have been hailed as a model for local GOP organizing.
