NEW YORK (NewsNation) — In an unusual special election, Tuesday for New York’s 3rd congressional district, Decision Desk HQ projects former U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Democrat winning against Republican Nassau County legislator Mazi Pilip, reducing the GOP’s slim majority in the House.
The seat became vacant when Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y, was expelled from Congress in December.
Suozzi is a seasoned politician who held the seat for six years before an unsuccessful run for governor. He’s been relentlessly accused of being weak on immigration from his opponent.
Polls closed at 9 p.m. Eastern time.
See results as they come in, in the tracker below:
Significant snowfall might have discouraged some voters from braving the conditions to make it to the polls. Turnout will be crucial for candidates given the tight race. Since NewsNation has been on the ground, there has been a steady stream of people coming in to vote. They know that this race has national implications as it is within the margin of error.
“This is a big implication for the people that my message wins, which they want us to work together. It’s not just Dems vs. Republicans, it’s about the people,” Suozzi told NewsNation while greeting voters. “I need the Democrats to vote for me in large numbers, I wanna try and win the independents and I wanna try and get a little bit of Republicans.”
When it comes to politics, though, the two candidates differ quite a bit. Pilip is a political newcomer who has served as legislator in Nassau County for two terms. She’s an Orthodox Jew who served in the Israeli military and then moved to the United States with her husband and seven kids. She was also making a last minute push Tuesday.
“This is the day we’re gonna go out to vote to secure the borders, to support law enforcement, to improve our economy. I know there’s one option, this is Mazi,” she said to a crowd.
Meanwhile, the special election is garnering national attention because the outcome could play a pivotal role in determining control of the House after the November election.
Currently, Republicans hold a narrow 219 to 212 majority in the House with four vacancies, three of which were previously occupied by Republicans. The narrow split has already hampered the Republican agenda in the House.
Earlier this month, Republicans failed to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas by just two votes over his handling of the immigration crisis at the southern border. Three Republicans sided with Democrats on the vote.
Additionally, the special election serves as a testing ground for both parties.
The migrant crisis in New York has led to people blaming Democrats for insufficient action to sub the influx.
Republicans aim to capitalize on voter discontent, potentially utilizing the issue nationally if successful in New York, while Democrats are hoping to use abortion rights and a strong economy to motivate voters to support Suozzi.
Another reason this district is garnering national attention is because President Joe Biden carried it in 2020 and Georgia Santos won in 2022, making it a swing district.
Both candidates sat down with NewsNation affiliate WPIX for extended interviews on these issues.
“As a woman, I think abortion is a personal decision, a personal choice. Every woman should make that decision,” Pilip said.
“We need strong outspoken pro-Israel Democrats like myself who will stand up to the far left that are trying to undermine our relationship with Israel,” Suozzi said.
Both parties acknowledge the importance of the suburban vote to win, consisting primarily of educated people, working individuals deeply concerned about their family’s financial security, personal safety, and the looming migrant crisis impacting their community.
Santos represented New York’s 3rd Congressional District for not even a full term after being elected in November 2022. He was expelled from the House in December 2023 following a scandal-plagued tenure in Congress and a looming criminal trial. He is only the sixth member in the chamber’s history to be ousted by colleagues.
Suozzi’s people say he might have the upper hand because of early voting. 11,000 more Democrats voted than Republicans in early voting beginning nine days ago.
