Why the race to replace George Santos matters beyond New York - BBC News

Democrat Tom Suozzi and Republican Mazi Pilip are running a campaign closely watched by both parties.

11 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsIsrael-Gaza warImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Republicans and Democrats are pouring millions of dollars race into the race to replace former Congressman George Santos.By Kayla EpsteinBBC News, New YorkGeorge Santos walked the halls of Capitol Hill for less than a year as a congressman before his colleagues expelled him last December over allegations of fraud.

Voting is now under way to pick his successor in New York's Third Congressional District, with the Republican and Democratic parties pouring millions of dollars into the race that ends on Tuesday.

Former Congressman Tom Suozzi is running as the Democrat and local official Mazi Pilip, a black Israeli-American who served in the Israel Defence Forces, is the Republican candidate. The winner will represent parts of New York City and Long Island, and polls show the race is neck-and-neck.

Mr Santos' antics may have dominated Washington for months, but voters in this district appear more focused on issues that will likely be a factor in the forthcoming presidential race - the Israel-Hamas war, immigration, and abortion. Both parties are now testing their political messaging in this swing district.

With a razor-thin margin in the House of Representatives, Republicans are eager to win the race to more easily pass their legislative priorities before the election. Democrats, meanwhile, want to secure the seat to help their growing coalition and to gain traction before November.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68280588?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

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