Former Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi will return to Congress after winning the special election for New York’s 3rd district to replace former Republican Congressman George Santos, who was expelled from Congress last December.
The victory of Suozzi on Tuesday (13) over Republican Mazi Pilip reduces the already slim Republican majority in the House by one seat, making it even more difficult for Republicans to pass legislation.
The Democrat is expected to be sworn in to Congress this Thursday (15). If that does not happen, he will have to wait until the end of the month, after a week-long recess due to Presidents’ Day, next Monday (19).
Although President Joe Biden won New York’s 3rd district, based in Long Island, by 8 percentage points, according to calculations from Daily Kos Elections, Republicans have been making gains in the area since then. In 2022, Santos won this seat by 8 points but was expelled from Congress in December following federal charges and a scathing report from the Ethics Committee alleging that he violated several federal laws and misused campaign funds (Santos has pleaded not guilty and will be tried in September.)
The Democratic win is also bad news for Republicans in the House, who have struggled to pass even party-line bills. Once Suozzi is sworn in, they will face even greater pressure to reach an agreement with Democrats and can only afford to lose two votes to advance any Republican Party legislation, provided all members are present. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., celebrated Suozzi’s victory and the reduction of the Republican majority by writing: “One less. Four to go.”
In the short special election, Suozzi faced a barrage of ads attacking his stance on immigration, an issue that Republicans deemed relevant to voters. He quickly responded with his own TV ads and emphasized his support for a bipartisan deal on the border, which Pilip opposed.
Suozzi and Pilip may face off again in November. Both have committed to run for a full term.
Source: NBC News