New York special election to replace Santos could further shrink a thin GOP majority
A race to replace Rep. George Santos in the House could shrink, or expand, House Republicans' razor-thin majority.
WASHINGTON — Last week, the Republican Party suffered a stinging blow due to its narrow majority when a resolution to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas fell short by a mere one vote and left party leaders stunned.
It marked an embarrassing defeat for Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and caused a wave of recriminations as Republicans lament a thin 219-to-212 majority that has left them unable to govern — and brought nonstop mayhem across Capitol Hill.
Next week, that margin will change after voters in New York’s 3rd Congressional District, which spans portions of Queens and Long Island, have their say. The only question is whether the Republicans’ majority will shrink even further, or if they’ll regain a vote they lost after the expulsion of Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., who was ousted after a 23-count federal indictment alleging a smorgasbord of crimes.
The contest pits former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi, who is running as an independent-minded legislator willing to break with his party, against Republican Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip, who is seeking to ride discontent over migration and crime to a win. It’s a close race: A Newsday/Siena College survey out Thursday found Suozzi leading by 4 points, inside the margin of error.
The outcome will affect Republican hopes of impeaching other officials, including President Joe Biden, as well as must-pass legislation like funding the government, reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration, approving a farm bill and deciding whether to renew warrantless surveillance powers.
Rating: 5