Democrat Tom Suozzi Returning to U.S. House for New York's 3rd Congressional District
The special election was called following the expulsion of U.S. Representative George Santos (R).
The special election occurred today in New York to fill a vacancy in the U.S. House of Representatives. This is the first special election in 2024 for the lower legislative chamber of the U.S. Congress. The Democratic and Republican candidates were chosen by local party leaders.
The special election for New York’s 3rd Congressional District was called following the expulsion of U.S. Representative George Santos, a Republican, upon being indicted on 23 felonies. He represented this district from January 2023 to December 2023.
Democrat Tom Suozzi has been declared the winner in the special election. The race was called in his favor as he’s currently leading with 53.9% against Republican Mazi Melesa Pilip with 46.1%. 169,391 votes have been counted.
Suozzi previously served as Mayor of Glen Cove from January 1994 to December 2001 and Nassau County Executive from January 2002 to December 2009. He also represented New York’s 3rd Congressional District from January 2017 to January 2023. He unsuccessfully ran for Governor of New York in 2006 and 2022.
Pilip has represented District 10 on the Nassau County Legislature since January 2022. An Ethiopian refugee, Pilip also previously served in the Israel Defense Force’s Paratroopers Brigade.
New York’s 3rd Congressional District is based in northern Nassau County and also takes in several neighborhoods in northeastern Queens.
Once Suozzi is sworn in, Republicans will maintain control of the U.S. House of Representatives with a 219-213 majority against Democrats. The chamber currently has three additional vacancies, with all three special elections scheduled for the next few months. All 435 seats will be up for regular two-year terms in November 2024.