Democrats move to avert embarrassing defeat in New York race for Santos’s seat

[Geee]

The Hill

Democrats are looking to avert an embarrassing defeat in Tuesday’s high-stakes special election for former Rep. George Santos’s (R-N.Y.) House seat, a race that could have broader implications for November as the party hopes to flip the lower chamber.

Although Democrats see the seat as a prime pickup opportunity, recent polls have shown their nominee, former Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), locked in a tight race with Republican Mazi Pilip, who has sought to tie him to President Biden’s policies, especially on immigration

 

With New York viewed as key to Democrats’ chances of winning the House, the race is an important bellwether for both parties. And a Democratic loss would raise alarm bells for a party grappling with an incumbent president dogged by low approval ratings and growing concerns over immigration.

“Both sides will say this is a must-win election, but the stakes are higher for Democrats. Suozzi’s high name recognition, combined with the fact that he’s leading in nearly every major poll, sets an expectation that Democrats will regain control of this seat,” Democratic strategist Greg Drilling said. “If Pilip pulls off a victory, it will be seen as a major upset that generates momentum for Republicans heading into November.”

Republicans scored an upset victory in the district in 2022 when Santos won by more than 7 points. The district under its current borders would have voted for Biden over former President Trump by 8 points in the 2020 presidential election. :snip:

[Geee]

New York special election to fill Santos' seat seen as bellwether for November 2024

Tuesday's special election for the House seat formerly occupied by former Rep. George Santos’s, R-N.Y., could be a bellwether for how November 2024 will play out, as President Biden grapples with low job approval numbers and the Democratic candidate attempts to distance himself from the incumbent president.  

A recent Rasmussen Reports poll found Biden's approval rating to be at 42%. According to the results of another survey conducted in early February, Biden's job approval is just 38%.

Prior to Santos, the seat was last occupied by former Rep. Tom Suozzi, who decided not to seek re-election in 2022. Suozzi, who is running again for the seat, has focused on protecting abortion rights as a central issue in his campaign. Republican Mazi Pilip, Suozzi's opponent, has made border security, immigration, and fighting rising crime key issues in her campaign. :snip:

[Geee]

Democrat Tom Suozzi Wins New York’s Special Congressional Election to Replace George Santos

Former Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) has won the special election for New York’s Third Congressional District in a blow to House Republicans’ already thin majority.

As of 10:06 p.m. ET, the Associated Press press called the race for Suozzi, who beat out Republican Mazi Melesa Pilip, a member of the Nassau County legislature who served as a paratrooper in the Israeli Defense Forces. As of 10:11 p.m. ET, the New York Times election results showed Suozzi secured 58.7 percent of the vote to Pilip’s 41.3 percent with an estimated 52 percent of the vote reporting.

[Valin]

2 hours ago, Geee said:

Democrat Tom Suozzi Wins New York’s Special Congressional Election to Replace George Santos

Former Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) has won the special election for New York’s Third Congressional District in a blow to House Republicans’ already thin majority.

As of 10:06 p.m. ET, the Associated Press press called the race for Suozzi, who beat out Republican Mazi Melesa Pilip, a member of the Nassau County legislature who served as a paratrooper in the Israeli Defense Forces. As of 10:11 p.m. ET, the New York Times election results showed Suozzi secured 58.7 percent of the vote to Pilip’s 41.3 percent with an estimated 52 percent of the vote reporting.

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