Democrat Tom Suozzi has secured victory in the New York special election to fill the seat left vacant by former Rep. George Santos, who was expelled from Congress last year amid scandals and criminal charges.
Suozzi’s win marks a shift from red to blue in New York’s 3rd Congressional District, further narrowing the Republicans’ slim majority in the House.
The district, encompassing parts of Long Island and Queens, had been without representation since Santos’ expulsion. Suozzi, who previously served the district, emerged victorious over Republican Mazi Pilip in a closely watched race.
Tom Suozzi (Credits: CNBC)
Pre-election surveys indicated a tight contest, but projections from NBC and other outlets were made shortly after polls closed. In his victory speech, Suozzi urged Congress to focus on governing rather than aligning with former President Trump.
However, the moment was briefly disrupted when a pro-Palestinian protester confronted Suozzi on stage, accusing him of supporting genocide before being removed.
Despite a significant snowstorm on Election Day, the special election’s outcome carries substantial implications for Congress’s balance of power.
Suozzi’s imminent swearing-in will increase House Democrats to 213 members, putting them in close proximity to the GOP’s 219-member majority. With such a slim margin, Republicans can afford only two defections while still passing legislation along party lines.
Both parties heavily invested in the race, with Democrats outspending Republicans by a significant margin on advertising alone.
The New York Times reported that Democrats allocated $13 million for advertising over the course of just 10 weeks, underscoring the significance attached to securing the seat in a highly contested election.
