Who will replace George Santos? Live updates as Tom Suozzi and Mazi Pilip take on special election

New York’s 3rd Congressional district is the fourth richest in the country, and comprises many wealthy hamlets across northern Long Island.

Political observers have stated that Tuesday’s special election could provide clues to how suburban voters might go for in November’s general election.

But not everyone is convinced that NY03 will have broader implications beyond Long Island.

“My sense is that there are a number of candidate-specific issues and some local context that would make this a tough case from which to conclude much about national trends, despite the fact that congressional elections have become more ‘national’ in recent years,” Syracuse University political science professor Grant Reeher told The Independent in a statement.

“Among those candidate and local issues are the fact that Suozzi is a very well-known figure, and has a record as a county executive, and further, has staked out a more moderate place within the Democratic Party.

“And then, as you note, there’s the Republican baggage of Santos. The 2022 Democratic congressional candidates were weighed down by an association with the governor and the state Democratic Party, and concerns about crime and safety — whether that carries through to this election is another factor. So there are a lot of moving parts beyond general national party politics,” he said.

Writing in the New York Times today, editorial board member Mara Gay writes that GOP candidate Mazi Pilip has raised too many red flags during the campaign to merit voters’ trust.

“Again and again, Pilip, a Democrat-turned-Republican, could not seem to stake out a consistent position on any of the issues that matter to voters in this moderate district, which is east of New York City,” Ms Gay writes.

“She has talked a big game about strengthening the southern U.S. border, to stem the tide of migrants to the New York City region, yet said she opposed the bipartisan bill before Congress that would do exactly that.”

Ms Gay contends that the Republican misled voters on her positions on gun safety and abortion, and says the election is a choice between a “responsible public servant” in Tom Suozzi and another “partisan provocateur”.

Anyone who’s taken a passing look at the news lately knows about the short, ill-fated political career of George Santos. Charged with crimes ranging from false statements to fraud, the former golden boy of the Republican Party was ousted by his own colleagues in December. How did it all go so wrong?

New York’s 3rd Congressional District seat is up for grabs today and the outcome of the special election could impact the House of Representatives majority.

At the moment, Republicans hold a minor majority over Democrats – just 219 Republcians to 212 Democrats.

But if Tom Suozzi, the Democratic candidate, wins he would add another seat for the Democrat’s which could be critical in helping pass legislation. Every vote matters and counts and last week was a prime example.

The House failed to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas because factions of the House GOP have broken off from the majority or leadership.

Tuesday’s by-election in New York’s 3rd Congressional to replace the scandal-plagued, federally indicted former Congressman George Santos has largely turned into a national referendum on immigration, abortion, Donald Trump and the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Democratic veteran Tom Suozzi, 61, and the GOP’s Mazi Pilip have spent around $20m on negative adverts that have bombarded local news channels and sportscasts, and even ran during Sunday’s Super Bowl.

Democratic candidate Tom Suozzi and Republican candidate Mazi Pilip are offering car service to voters who need it so they can get out and cast their ballot in New York’s special election, amid a snowstorm.

On X, Mr Suozi said that those who are in need of transportation can fill out a form or call his team and they will arrange a driver to bring them to a polling location.

Ms Pilip offered similar service, saying anyone in need of free transportation can call her campaign and set up a ride.

New York’s special election to fill George Santos’s seat in the 3rd Congressional District is underway today from 6am until 9pm EST.

Polls will close at 9pm and results are expected to roll in shortly after.

The race to replace ousted New York congressman George Santos is on and among the issues voters are looking at, a top one is immigration.

Supports of both Democrat Tom Suozzi and Republican Mazi Melesa Pilip told NPR that the recent influx of migrants into New York City has impacted parts of Congressional District 3. That are includes neighbourhoods of Queens and Nassau County, Long Island.

Mr Suozzi has spoken to the immigration system in his campaign, pointing to his record on being in the “problem solver’s caucus” as proof that he will work across the aisle to get legislation passed. Mr Suozzi supports the bipartisan immigration proposal recently passed in the Senate.

Meanwhile, Ms Pilip spent time blaming Mr Suozzi and President Joe Biden for allowing migrants to enter the US-Mexico border.