With the recent ousting of Rep. George Santos from the House of Representatives, a special election to fill his 3rd District seat was in full swing by the beginning of the 2024. The election saw two candidates battle to fill the seat in a two-month mad dash of a campaign.
It was coined the “Mazi vs. Suozzi” race.
Returning to the ring was Democrat Tom Suozzi, who had previously served in the seat but opted out of running again in 2021 for an unsuccessful bid in the state’s gubernatorial race. The House election he bowed out of was the one that brought Santos to Congress.
Suozzi frequently acknowledged how he was not a party favorite, yet attributed his common sense and bipartisan politicking to his selection by the Democratic Party to sprint through this abbreviated special election.
But Suozzi was challenged by fresh face Republican Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip, who started her political career in 2021 when elected to the county Legislative seat. Pilip campaigned on bringing a “fresh perspective to Congress” with a focus on securing the southern border, providing tax relief, stimulating the economy and combating crime.
Suozzi, who following the February special election was re-elected in November for another two years, beat out Pilip after garnering 54% of the votes.
“Despite all the attacks. Despite all the lies about Tom Suozzi and the Squad, about Tom Suozzi being the godfather of the migrant crisis. Sanctuary Suozzi,” Suozzi said in claiming victory at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. “Despite the dirty tricks. Despite the vaunted Nassau County Republican machine. We won!”
Suozzi’s win represented the first significant victory in a major race for Nassau Democrats in three years.
The race heavily focused on national issues such as abortion and immigration with Suozzi at the end contrasting his support for bipartisan border security legislation developed in the Senate that Pilip opposed.
Suozzi, who describes himself as a middle-of-the-road Democrat, represented the 3rd Congressional District over three terms in the House from January 2017 to January 2023. He previously served as the Nassau County executive from 2002-2009 and the mayor of Glen Cove from 1994-2001 – the start of his political career.
“This race was fought amidst the closely divided electorate, much like our country,” Suozzi went on to say. “This race was centered on immigration and the economy much like the issues all across our country. We won this race, we, you won this race… and we found a way to bind our divisions.”
Since taking office, Suozzi followed through on his call for bipartisan action. This transpired through his bipartisan coalition to address the southern border immigration with Texas Republican Rep. Morgan Luttrell and other bills passed in December with support across the aisle on border security, combating Chinese Communist Party threats and fiscal responsibility.
