Array
Former New York 3rd District Congressman Tom Suozzi won the special election to replace Republican George Santos, giving the Democrats a rare victory in New York’s Nassau County. Suozzi received 54% of the vote to GOP state legislator Mazi Pilip’s 46%.
Suozzi defeated Pilip during a snowstorm on Long Island that almost certainly tamped down the Republican vote total. Democrats had turned out in large numbers during early voting and Pilip couldn’t get the Nassau County GOP turnout machine into full gear.
“This race was fought amidst a closely divided electorate, much like our whole country,” Suozzi said. “We, you, won this race because we addressed the issues and we found a way to bind our divisions.”
The suburban vote will be critical in November, and Democrats believe they’ve found a formula that works. Suozzi was as tough on the border crisis as Pilip or any Republican. He also promised to guarantee abortion rights, fight crime, and cut taxes. He promised to work toward bringing back the state and local tax deduction (SALT) that northeast Republicans have been advocating for.
