Former Israeli Soldier Nominated by New York Republicans in Special Election for Santos' Seat
New York Republicans choose Nassau County legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip as the candidate for the special election in the 3rd Congressional District, following the expulsion of GOP Rep George Santos
The New York Republicans have chosen Nassau County legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip as their nominee in the special election to replace previously ousted GOP Rep. George Santos in the state's 3rd Congressional District. Pilip, an Israeli immigrant born in Ethiopia, served in the Israel Defense Forces. She will be running against former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi, who was announced as the New York Democrats' nominee last week.
"Mazi's extraordinary life presents a striking contrast to the career politician Tom Suozzi," stated North Carolina Rep. Richard Hudson, the chair of the House GOP campaign arm, on Thursday. "With Mazi in Congress, Long Islanders will have a representative who opposes the extreme Hochul-Suozzi agenda, ultimately making New York both safer and more affordable."
Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul has set the special election for February 13th. According to the state's special election regulations, candidates are chosen by the district's county party leaders.
The 2024 3rd District race in parts of Nassau and Queens counties will be crucial, especially with the Republicans' slim majority in the House set to become even slimmer temporarily, with former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy leaving at the end of this year. This race to succeed Santos will gain increased importance as a key bellwether ahead of the November 2024 general election.
On July 21, 2021, Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., was photographed before the House voted to pass the Right To Contraception Act at the U.S. Capitol. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Democratic former Rep. Tom Suozzi announces bid for George Santos' House seat. Santos was recently expelled from Congress following an Ethics Committee report that found he had unlawfully sought personal financial gain from his House candidacy. In addition to facing 23 federal charges, including allegations of Covid-19 unemployment benefit fraud and misuse of campaign funds, Santos has pleaded not guilty to misrepresenting his personal finances on House disclosure reports.
Pilips' political journey has been brief but impactful. She secured a seat in the Nassau County legislature in 2021 and was reelected just recently. Despite being elected as a Republican, she is actually a registered Democrat, as reported by The New York Times.
Efforts to obtain a comment from a spokesperson for the Nassau County Republican Party were unsuccessful, and New York GOP Chairman Ed Cox also declined to comment.
The Republican Jewish Coalition, the prominent political organization aligned with the GOP, announced their endorsement of Mazi Pilips candidacy on Thursday. "Securing victory in this crucial battleground seat is essential for upholding the GOP's majority in the House of Representatives. As antisemitism is on the rise nationwide, the election of candidates such as Mazi Pilip is of utmost importance," stated coalition CEO Matt Brooks.
The future of the 3rd District's boundaries is uncertain after New York's highest court ordered the state to redraw its congressional district lines. However, the special election in February will still be held within the current boundaries. Democrats are banking on the backlash against Santos' scandals to halt Republican momentum in the area. Washington Rep. Suzan DelBene, who leads House Democrats' campaign arm, labeled Pilip as "serial fraudster George Santos' close friend" and a "MAGA extremist" in a statement on Thursday.
President Joe Biden would have won the 3rd District by 8 points in 2020, but the GOP has made recent gains on Long Island, driven by concerns about crime, immigration, inflation, and the high cost of housing. This report includes contributions from CNN's Elizabeth Hartfield, Jack Forrest, Gregory Krieg, and Renée Rigdon.
