Democrats and Republicans are fighting for New York’s third congressional district in a high-profile special election to fill the seat left vacant by disgraced GOP Rep. George Santos.
In New York City on December 15, 2023, Mazi Melesa Pilips was present at the opening of her campaign. (Source: The WABC)
Former Israeli Army Soldier Faces Scrutiny Over Alleged Democratic Affiliation
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul scheduled the special election for Feb. 13, 2019. Instead of hosting primaries, county parties must appoint candidates. Democrats nominated former Rep. Tom Suozzi, who represented the seat for three terms before losing a 2022 governorship run. On Friday, New York Republicans nominated former Israeli army soldier and county legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip. This selection sets up a fierce fight, with the Cook Political Report calling the contest a “toss-up.” “My family and I are experiencing a historic time. I represent the American dream. At her campaign launch on Friday, Pilip supported law enforcement, Israel, and tax relief and said she wants to speak up for middle-class people because she overcame numerous obstacles. Ethiopia-born Pilip is a mother of seven of Israeli-Jewish descent. At 12, she joined her family in evacuating to Israel during attempt Solomon, an Israeli attempt to help Ethiopian Jews with political and economic issues. In an interview with The Forward, she said she was a paratrooper in the IDF for two years.
Quoting Hofstra University’s Lawrence Levy, ABC News highlighted Mazi Melesa Pilip’s remarkable political journey, describing her as a political unicorn in a diverse suburban district. Levy emphasized her ability to secure crossover votes, making her the first Republican to win in a historically Democratic center in Nassau County. Pilip’s victory with a substantial majority in November 2022 showcased her skill in building a brand that resonates with suburban communities, according to Levy. With backing from the Republican Jewish Coalition and prominent GOP figures like Rep. Elise Stefanik, Pilip’s political profile has garnered attention. However, her background has stirred controversy, with Politico reporting that despite being a Republican Nassau County legislator, Pilip is labeled a Democrat in New York. This discrepancy became a point of contention, drawing criticism from George Santos in a video posted on his page on December 6. Despite the controversy, Pilip has been active on social media, addressing issues such as antisemitism, fundraising for the IDF, and advocating for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Her multifaceted background and political stance make her a unique and noteworthy figure in the political landscape.
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Tom Suozzi Faces Challenges in Bid to Reclaim
In the district, Levy said her Israel advocacy may help her. As in most Jewish communities, many community members have united to support Israel during the Israel-Hamas war. As a county representative who should handle more local issues, she’s been loud from the start “Levy told ABC News. Levy noted the district’s large Orthodox Jewish community has generally voted Republican in recent decades. Many of her stances on abortion and gun regulations are unclear, which Democrats are exploiting. Suozzi expressed interest in running for the House seat he had before Santos’ dismissal before the county Democrats selected him for the special election. Suozzi criticized his Republican successor by name at his October campaign launch. The madness in Washington, D.C., and the absurdity of George Santos remaining in the United States Congress is obvious to everyone,” stated Suozzi. “You know me. Never a spectator. From cost of living to immigration, crime, climate change, battling terrorism in the Middle East and beyond, and aiding people, we need more common sense and compassion and less turmoil and pointless warring “said.
Suozzi left his position to run for governor of New York in 2022, losing to Hochul in the Democratic primary. Levy believes Suozzi won’t suffer for giving up the seat for his gubernatorial primary effort. I think many voters will think he’s still a congressman. He claimed it’s almost like running an incumbent campaign because his name is well-known. The Israel-Hamas war may provide Suozzi with challenges that Pilip does not. Levy noted that Suozzi has excellent ties to the district’s Jewish community and votes pro-Israel in Congress. However “There is more of a party rift on Israel, and that’s one of the forerunners you look for: Are there enough young Democrats in the community who aren’t as supportive of Israel’s government? They won’t vote Republican, but will they stay home? Which folks?” Levy stated. Levy noted that Republicans flipped House seats on Long Island in 2022 by emphasizing local themes like crime and the economy, even if the “expected red wave” did not occur nationally.
George Santos was elected that way. I doubt anyone voted for him. “I think they said, ‘I’m not backing Democrats because I’m mad at them’ for whatever reason,” he added. How the February election might predict the presidential election later in the year and how much voters are driven by their views for or against President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are unknown. Biden won the district in 2020, but his national support has declined. Levy emphasized that New York congressional district patterns are constantly changing, making those races and their national significance increasingly harder to anticipate. “This election is most valuable for seeing how the parties do, what themes they employ, what works, and what doesn’t in preparation for November 2024. That’s it—this district will be reconfigured “Levy stated. A nonpartisan redistricting commission was ordered by the state’s Court of Appeals to rewrite 2022 congressional lines. New York Democrats may seek approval for a redistricting that favors their party to take a few swing districts from Republicans who won them in the midterms.
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