Long Island voters are embarrassed by George Santos and split on who should replace him
There's a special election to replace former Rep. George Santos in New York between Democrat Tom Suozzi and Republican Mazi Pilip.
GREAT NECK, N.Y. — Voters in this swing district will cast their ballots in a special election Tuesday to replace the indicted and expelled Republican George Santos, presenting a clash of ideologies and an early glimpse into the national political environment in a 2024 battleground.
The competitive election pits Nassau County legislator Mazi Pilip, a Republican, against former Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Democrat who held this seat before vacating it in the last cycle. Or, as it’s been nicknamed here, the “Mazi vs. Suozzi” race.
“I voted for Suozzi because he has the experience. It was close between Mazi and Suozzi,” said Mark Schneider, of Great Neck, who cast his ballot early. “I’ve never seen so much advertising. You would think it’s a national election, there was so much advertising!”
Schneider said he was disappointed to see Suozzi give up the House seat in 2022 to challenge Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, saying he would have been “a shoo-in to win” re-election to Congress that year. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a very close final result.”
Debra, a Long Island voter who asked that her last name not be used, said her biggest concern is crime. She voted early for Pilip in the special election.
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