Michelle ThompsonFour years ago, President Joe Biden secured an 8-point victory in New York’s 3rd Congressional District. However, the GOP’s freshman congressman, George Santos, faced expulsion from the House due to a damaging scandal.
In response, Democratic leaders opted for a cautious approach, choosing Tom Suozzi, a former congressman with extensive political experience in the region. Suozzi is set to face off against the relatively unknown Republican candidate, Mazi Melesa Pilip, who is making her debut on the national stage.
To ensure a favorable outcome, Democrats are aggressively dominating the airwaves, significantly outspending Republicans by nearly $4 million in the two-month race to fill Santos’ vacated seat.
Just a little over a week before the special election on February 13, Democrats are expressing concern, particularly in New York’s 3rd Congressional District. Despite President Joe Biden’s previous 8-point victory in the district, Democratic candidate Tom Suozzi acknowledges the challenges, citing the broader struggles of Democrats in the region over the past few years. He recognizes the impact of voter dissatisfaction, particularly regarding the handling of the southern border, which has become a central issue in the campaign.
Suozzi is contending with GOP attacks on immigration, leading him to release two ads defending his stance. Attempting to distance himself from the unpopular aspects of his party, Suozzi is navigating the campaign without seeking direct support from President Biden, acknowledging that such endorsement may not be beneficial. The race is characterized as highly local, focusing on Suozzi against his opponent, Mazi Pilip.
In contrast, Pilip embraces former President Donald Trump, considering him a “great president” and expressing openness to his assistance in the campaign. The outcome of the special election will have significant implications, with a Pilip victory providing a boost for the GOP’s strategy on immigration and criticism of Biden, while a Suozzi win would contribute to Democrats’ efforts to reclaim the majority in the upcoming fall elections.
Despite Biden’s prior success in the district, the lower expected turnout in the special election introduces uncertainty about the favored party. The well-organized Nassau County Republican Party and the diverse nature of the district, including independent voters and working-class Democrats, add complexity to the electoral landscape. Pilip, an Ethiopian-born Israeli immigrant and registered Democrat, poses a unique challenge for Democrats despite being the local GOP’s chosen candidate.
On January 17, 2024, Mazi Melesa Pilip participated in a Republican gathering held at the American Legion in Whitestone, Queens, New York.
In its initial advertisement targeting Mazi Melesa Pilip, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee characterized her as “hand-picked by MAGA,” a move that reportedly irked Tom Suozzi and his supporters, as per multiple sources. The concern among Democratic critics was rooted in the fear of legitimizing Pilip with the GOP base and energizing Trump supporters, particularly in a low-turnout election.
When questioned about his stance on the DCCC’s attack, Suozzi expressed uncertainty, stating, “The right characterization is we don’t know what she is. We don’t know what she stands for. She’s really been so opaque, so non-transparent in this race that we really don’t know what she stands for.”
While Pilip refrains from labeling herself a “MAGA Republican,” she acknowledges that many immigrants, including herself, initially registered as Democratic voters. However, she asserts that the Democratic Party has shifted away from her and others.
Suozzi has criticized Pilip for being secretive about her views, a claim she vehemently denies. Pilip dismisses it as “just another lie,” asserting that Suozzi is feeling the pressure and confidently stating, “He’s under a lot of stress. He’s feeling it. I’m about to win this election.”
Pilip provides her perspective on contentious topics.
During her interview with CNN, Pilip shared some of her stances on critical issues. She is against abortion rights and expressed support for the Supreme Court’s decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, emphasizing that abortion laws should be determined by individual states. Pilip does not endorse a national abortion ban but is not in favor of codifying Roe, stating her trust in the Supreme Court’s decision to delegate the matter to states. She criticized Suozzi for Democratic ads suggesting she would support a national abortion ban, attributing it to the Democratic Party’s pursuit of power without adhering to rules.
Regarding gun control, Pilip clarified her opposition to access to automatic weapons, which are already subject to strict federal regulations. However, she indicated that she does not advocate for reinstating a ban on semi-automatic rifles like AR-15s.
On the subject of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Pilip expressed support for initiating impeachment proceedings against him, making him the second Cabinet secretary in history to face such action. She also suggested a preference for an inquiry into President Biden but stopped short of endorsing his impeachment, emphasizing the House’s obligation to investigate all individuals because nobody is above the law.
Pilip supports Trump but remains tight-lipped about her previous voting history.
While Pilip expresses her willingness to support Trump if he becomes the nominee, she declines to disclose whether she voted for him in the 2016 or 2020 elections, citing the time frame and her non-elected status at that point.
Suozzi finds Pilip’s reluctance to discuss her past votes on Trump unacceptable, asserting that, as a candidate for the United States Congress, she should reveal her preferences in the 2016 and 2020 elections.
Pilip affirms her support for Trump if he secures the nomination but avoids committing to backing him in the event of a criminal conviction. When pressed on this matter, she declines to provide a clear answer, emphasizing Trump’s positive achievements as president.
Furthermore, Pilip criticizes the legal actions against Trump, targeting Manhattan prosecutor Alvin Bragg and dismissing federal charges against Trump related to mishandling classified records and the Georgia case involving efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. She maintains her belief that Trump did not commit any crimes.
On the question of Trump’s responsibility for the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, Pilip refrains from holding him accountable, attributing the accusations to politically motivated individuals and considering it a dangerous trend for the country that needs to be stopped.
Suozzi maintains a cautious distance from President Biden.
Suozzi exhibits a measured stance towards the leader of his party, expressing approval for certain aspects of President Biden’s actions while disapproving of others. On the issue of immigration, Suozzi believes that Biden should have taken a more assertive approach in addressing border challenges. He advocates for the president to tackle the problem directly, propose a comprehensive bipartisan solution, and question the Republicans’ commitment to resolving the issue rather than playing politics.
With the Senate proposing a bipartisan deal, Suozzi plans to shift the narrative, arguing that Republicans are attempting to politicize and weaponize the immigration issue rather than finding a genuine solution.
In contrast, Pilip declares her support for the House GOP’s border security bill, HR-2, which is considered a conservative plan and faces opposition from Senate Democrats. When asked about voting on any Senate deal that passes through the House, she emphasizes the need to evaluate the details before making a decision. Pilip asserts her commitment to ensuring a border security plan when she goes to Congress.
Emily Martinez
