To retake the House, the Democratic-affiliated House Majority PAC has launched an over $6 million advertising campaign to unseat GOP Rep. George Santos in New York. In addition to $700,000 in mailers, the campaign has invested an initial $5.2 million in TV and digital advertisements in the run-up to the special election for New York’s 3rd Congressional District on February 13.
Next-Rep. At a press conference held on November 7, 2022, in Great Neck, New York, Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., right, speaks with a bipartisan group of current or former elected officials who support Robert Zimmerman’s campaign. Former U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi will be the Democratic nominee in the special election held the following year to replace ousted Congressman George Santos, New York Democrats announced on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. (Source: AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
Pivotal Battle for House Majority PAC in 2024
Expressing a commitment to reclaiming the House in 2024, House Majority PAC President Mike Smith highlighted NY-03 as a crucial opportunity. Former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi, who held the seat from 2017 to 2023, is running for the position, having relinquished it to pursue an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid in 2022. Suozzi is facing Republican nominee Mazi Melesa Pilip, a Nassau County legislator, and forecasters have categorized the race as a toss-up.
The seat, turned red by Mr. Santos in 2022, became vacant after his expulsion on December 1. The expulsion followed criminal charges alleging he stole donors’ IDs and made fraudulent credit card charges. Despite efforts by House Republican leaders to retain Santos, lawmakers from both parties voted 311-114, reaching the required two-thirds majority to remove him. Democrats view this competitive district, covering parts of Long Island and Queens, as pivotal in their bid to regain control of the House.
