Voters in New York’s 3rd congressional district selected former Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., in a special election Tuesday night
Suozzi faced off against Nassau County legislator Mazi Pilip in the race to replace embattled former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y. Santos last year became just the sixth lawmaker to be expelled from the House in the country’s history.
While the election may seem like a simple, local race, Americans across the country watched the Long Island-area district closely. That’s because Republicans were fighting to keep their razor-thin majority in the House, though Suozzi’s win shifts power in the lower chamber towards Democrats.
Catch up with USA TODAY’s coverage of New York’s pivotal special election.
Tom Suozzi wins, marking significant boost for House Democrats
Tom Suozzi reclaimed his former seat on Tuesday evening, in a significant blow to House Republicans who will soon have even less breathing room to pass partisan legislation.
Suozzi’s victory changes the party breakdown in the House to 219-213. That means Republicans can only afford two GOP defections if they want to pass anything without Democratic support.
−Ken Tran
What time do polls close in New York? When are results expected?
It’s not clear when results will be released, but polls close at 9 p.m. Eastern Time Tuesday in New York.
Voters in the Long Island-area district will have until then to cast a ballot in person for George Santos’ congressional replacement. Voters could also make their choice via mail-in ballot.
– Savannah Kuchar
Nikki Haley attacks Donald Trump on New York election night
Less than an hour before polls closed on Long Island, Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley used the special election as another opportunity to swipe at her competitor, former President Donald Trump.
“Everything that he is involved with with Republicans, we lose,” Haley told CNN Tuesday evening, after pointing to a string of recent Republican electoral losses.
GOP candidate Mazi Pilip had distanced herself from the national Republican frontrunner through her campaign.
But Pilip’s opponent, Democrat Tom Suozzi, also kept his party leader at arm’s length. He previously told CNN he did not think President Joe Biden’s support would be helpful in the race.
− Savannah Kuchar
Who is George Santos voting for today? No one.
Former embattled congressman George Santos said he’ll be sitting out from voting in Tuesday’s race to replace him.
Tom Suozzi faces Republican candidate Mazi Pilip in the special election. Except Pilip is technically still registered as a Democrat in New York.
“There’s two Democrats on the ballot, and the option is do we get a Democrat or a Democrat-Republican-lite version of a Democrat,” Santos told CNN as the reason for his not voting.
“I will not bring myself to vote for a registered Democrat, period,” he added. “It’s just against what I believe in.”
Pilip has said that despite her registration, her views are more in line with the Republican Party.
– Savannah Kuchar
Long Island candidates spar over abortion in special election debate
Tom Suozzi went on the offense on Thursday during a debate with Mazi Pilip, particularly as the event turned to the issue of abortion.
The two took the stage days out from their Long Island special election, in what turned into a heated, hourlong back-and-forth.
“You’re pro-choice?” Suozzi repeatedly asked Pilip, questioning her position on abortion.
Pilip would eventually concede, “I am pro-life,” but not before angrily pushing back on Suozzi.
“It’s a personal decision,” Pilip said at the one and only debate.
– Savannah Kuchar
Suozzi enters election night with edge over Pilip
Polls ahead of Tuesday’s special election on Long Island show Tom Suozzi with a three to four percentage point lead over Mazi Pilip.
Suozzi previously represented the district for three terms, before running an unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign in 2022.
– Savannah Kuchar
How much snow did New York get ahead of its special election?
A northeast snowstorm swept through New York Tuesday, bringing the city’s highest snowfall in two years.
Voters on Long Island will have to battle the wintery elements to get out to polling locations and vote in the district’s special election to replace George Santos.
Below freezing temperatures are expected overnight and could turn snowmelt into icy roadways. Any impact on turnout remains to be seen, as polls will be open long past sunset, until 9 p.m. Eastern Time.
– Savannah Kuchar
Why does a NY election matter for voters across the country?
The party breakdown in the House is currently 219-212, with Republicans holding a slim majority. Whichever candidate wins the Tuesday race will determine just how much breathing room GOP leaders will have when it comes to passing key legislation.
Should Republican challenger Mazi Pilip win, that would bring Republicans’ count to 220. With full attendance, that means Republicans could afford to lose three GOP votes on legislation and still be able to pass bills without any Democratic support.
– Rachel Looker and Ken Tran
Why was George Santos expelled from Congress?
George Santos was expelled from Congress after a scathing report from the House Ethics Committee said Santos “blatantly stole from his own campaign,” deceived donors into making payments for his own benefit and violated federal criminal law.
Santos has been federally charged on accusations including money laundering, wire fraud, identity theft, credit card fraud and lying to Congress.
– Sudiksha Kochi
Lawmakers show out for Long Island-area race
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., joined other New York GOP lawmakers on Long Island Monday on the eve of the special congressional election to replace George Santos.
Alongside Stefanik, Long Island’s House Republicans Nick LaLota, Andrew Garbarino and Anthony D’Esposito stumped for Republican candidate Mazi Pilip.
Pilip faces former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi, who has had his own big-name congressional support: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., joined Suozzi on stage at a campaign event earlier this month.
− Savannah Kuchar
Who is George Santos?
George Santos was elected in the 2022 midterms to represent New York’s 3rd congressional district in the U.S. House. He defeated Democratic challenger Robert Zimmerman and flipped the district that had previously voted for President Joe Biden in 2020.
He was expelled from Congress in December 2023. Santos faces a multitude of federal charges, including money laundering, wire fraud, identity theft, credit card fraud and lying to Congress.
However, the New York Republican had been mired in controversy since before he entered Congress, as Santos embellished and fabricated parts of his resume and background.
– Sudiksha Kochi, Rachel Looker and Ken Tran
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New York special election replay: Tom Suozzi defeats Mazi Pilip
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