GOP Special Election Candidate Expected Later This Week

GLEN COVE, NY — The Republicans are in the process of deciding who will face Tom Suozzi to replace George Santos in Congress.

While Suozzi was picked by Democratic leaders in Nassau and Queens last week for a return to the 3rd District, Mike Deery, a spokesperson for the Nassau Republicans, said, an announcement is expected "sometime this week."

While no candidates are officially being released, several are reportedly on the shortlist.

Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip is not only the frontrunner, it's hers if she wants it, the New York Post reported.

But, the unknown is whether Pilip, an Ethiopian Jew, who became a paratrooper in the IDF, is interested in making the move to Washington.

"Israel is the one who gave me [a] home, gave me everything I needed to be successful," Pilip told Patch in October. "I grew up in Israel knowing that's my family, my people."

She was elected to the legislature representing Great Neck in 2021.

Retired NYPD detective Michael Sapraicone, who has donated $30,000 to Suozzi's campaigns, is also among those being vetted, the Post said.

The election is Feb. 13.