Special Election: Voters To Decide Who Replaces Santos In Congress

GLEN COVE, NY — After six weeks of campaigning, voters went to the polls today in the special election to replace disgraced George Santos in Congress.

Tom Suozzi, the Democrat and former representative for the 3rd Congressional District, decided to run before Santos was expelled in December.

His opponent Mazi Pilip is a two-term Nassau County legislator from Great Neck. Pilip is an Orthodox Jew from Ethiopia who lived for many years in Israel, where she was a soldier in the IDF.

An estimated 80,000 people took part in early voting, Politico reported.

Residents have been inundated with TV ads, mainly negative, referring to Suozzi as liberal and trying to link Pilip with extreme MAGA views.

A poll last week conducted by Siena College/Newsday gave Suozzi a four-point lead.

In the only debate between the candidates, held last week, Suozzi highlighted his experience in politics as the choice of the electorate. They also sparred over the abortion issue and the southern border crisis.

Claiming his opponent's lack of transparency, Suozzi called the Pilip campaign: "Santos 2.0."

In their debate last week on News 12, Pilip attacked Suozzi on the migrant issue.

"You created this issue; you were there," she said.

Santos became the sixth member of Congress to get ousted when 311 lawmakers voted in favor of removal.

The House Ethics Committee concluded that Santos committed federal crimes and violated the ethics of Congress. The report found "substantial evidence" of wrongdoing as Santos engaged in personal purchases, including Botox treatment and luxury shopping sprees, using campaign funds.

Outside of the chamber, he pleaded not guilty to 23 federal fraud and conspiracy counts. It was discovered following his election win in 2022 that the majority of his resume was fabricated.

The winner will finish out Santos' first term.

Polls close at 9 p.m.

Keep refreshing for updates throughout the evening.