Democrat crushing GOP opponent in campaign cash ahead of NY special election

Suozzi also outspent Pilip, $2.4 million to $714,000, through Jan. 24. But as of last Wednesday, Suozzi had more money on hand for the stretch run of the race: $2.2 million, to $629,000 for Pilip, the filings showed.

Suozzi’s dominant financial advantage is part of Democrats’ overall edge in spending ahead of the special election. In all, Democrats have spent or reserved $9.8 million in advertising for the race, according to AdImpact, compared to Republicans’ $6.2 million. And since candidates pay less for television ads than outside groups, Suozzi’s better cash situation means those numbers actually understate Democrats’ TV ad advantage.

As is typical for high-profile special elections, both Suozzi and Pilip received numerous contributions from their would-be House colleagues, including members of leadership. House Speaker Mike Johnson‘s leadership PAC, American Revival PAC, gave Pilip’s campaign $5,000 in December, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ campaign donated to Suozzi.

Santos, who’s facing indictment on charges of fraud and campaign finance violations but has yet to be brought to trial, was expelled in December, opening up his seat. Party leaders in the New York City borough of Queens and Nassau County on Long Island chose Suozzi and Pilip as their candidates, and each has faced a short sprint to the special election.

A Suozzi victory would further narrow Republicans’ already-small House majority and offer a much needed jolt to Democrats worried over President Joe Biden’s poll numbers. A Pilip win, meanwhile, would suggest that the GOP’s focus on immigration and crime is a potent message in New York City’s outer boroughs and close-in suburbs.

Either way, Democrats in Albany are expected to reconfigure downstate congressional districts in a rare mid-decade redistricting before the November general election, seeking to flip two or three of Long Island’s four seats.