Democrat Tom Suozzi has emerged as the victor for New York’s 3rd Congressional District, securing his return to the nation’s capital. Suozzi edged out his competition, Republican Mazi Pilip, on Tuesday.
As the polls closed at 9 p.m., it didn’t take long for The Associated Press to announce Suozzi as the projected winner, having garnered 52% of the vote. Suozzi, who is no stranger to the district, previously served its constituents for six years. His campaign was marked by rigorous debate topics like abortion rights and border policy, and in the heat of the race, he likened his opponent Pilip to the controversial former representative, George Santos.
In the days leading to voters heading to the polls, Suozzi was vocal about his frustrations with Washington politics. During a rally aimed at energizing the electorate, he openly criticized the current state of affairs at the nation’s capital, signifying a strong desire for change.
Despite identifying as a dedicated Democrat, Suozzi also skillfully distanced himself from party labels to appeal to the affluent and conservative voters of the district. Interestingly, he acknowledged that President Biden’s popularity—or lack thereof—played a role in his campaigning decisions, sharing with The Post his belief that the President’s public support might have been more of a hindrance than help due to Biden’s low approval ratings in the district.
It’s notable that neither Gov. Kathy Hochul, who faces dwindling support on Long Island, nor President Biden took part in Suozzi’s campaign efforts. Nevertheless, Suozzi demonstrated substantial lead in the Queens area, obtaining approximately 62% of the vote there before finally securing victory through a strong showing in Nassau County.
Prior to this special election, Suozzi had vacated his congressional seat to run for governor in 2022, a race in which he did not succeed. His political resume extends beyond his time in Congress; Suozzi has also held positions as the mayor of Glen Cove and as the Nassau County Executive, experiences that contributed to his notoriety within the district.
