Suozzi's Win 'Wasn't Suprising' As Special Election Drew Near: Expert

GLEN COVE, NY — While a poll before the special election gave Tom Suozzi a four-point lead, he would defeat Republican Mazi Pilip by nearly eight points, in numbers from the state's Board of Election.

The congressman-elect will resume his role representing New York's 3rd District, where he held three terms before leaving for an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid against Gov. Hochul.

"It would have been surprising two weeks ago, but it wasn't surprising last night," Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf told Patch. "The problems in the Mazi campaign, her messaging and who she was became more apparent in the last couple of weeks."

The race was to replace the disgraced George Santos, who was expelled from the House on the third attempt after a damning House Ethics report was released.

As the race grew toward a close, Suozzi would refer to his opponent as "Santos 2.0," amid a report in the New York Times that claimed her initial financial disclosure was missing required information.

"[It] gave Suozzi even more credibility," Sheinkopf said.

Suozzi was able to win against Pilip who had the "vaunted Nassau County Republican machine" backing her, he said in the victory speech Tuesday night.

Nassau County Republican Chair Joe Cairo "has been on a winning streak. Republicans keep winning races at every level," Sheinkopf said.

One of the biggest issues for the candidates was the migrant crisis, which is not lost on House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana).

"[Suozzi] ran like a Republican. He sounded like a Republican, talking about the border and immigration," Johnson said Wednesday morning.

Pilip attempted to link the southern border crisis to Suozzi from his previous work on Capitol Hill. She also would battle Suozzi on another hot-button issue — abortion.

"It is a personal decision, a personal choice," she said during a debate last week, but would refuse to say she was pro-choice.

While Suozzi's win doesn't change the balance of power for Democrats in the House, Sheinkopf said it could go a long way to build momentum in November and, ultimately lift Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) toward becoming Speaker.

"The Democrats needed to win. Republicans didn't need to win but it would have been useful," Sheinkopf said.

Suozzi will have to defend his congressional seat in a November election for the full two-year term.

As for a Pilip rematch: "It's up to the Republicans, but the question is 'Why?' Sheinkopf said. "It was a pretty good beating."