Tom Suozzi beats Republican Mazi Pilip in special election to fill George Santos' seat

New York politics took a shocking turn this week after a seat left vacated by the ousted Rep. George Santos (R-NY) went to the other side of the aisle.

According to Fox News, Former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi claimed victory this week in a special election to replace the ousted Republican lawmaker.

The race was especially important for both sides to watch closely and back financially, as Republicans only hold a thin majority in the lower chamber. Suozzi's win narrowed it even more.

Suozzi was up against Republican county lawmaker Mazi Pilip.

"I did call my opponent. I congratulated him," Pilip told supporters on the night of the election. "We are fighters. Yes, we lost. But it doesn't mean we're going to end here."

BREAKING NOW: ⚠️Tom Suozzi wins the special election for New York's 3rd congressional district, FLIPS SEAT blue...

Republicans HELPED oust a fellow Republican so a DEM could fill the seat..

Great work guys.. pic.twitter.com/O2RUSNafFV

— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) February 14, 2024

Suozzi also had plenty to say in the wake of his special election victory.

"Despite all the attacks and despite all the lies about Tom Suozzi and the squad, about Tom Suozzi being the godfather of the migrant crisis, about sanctuary Suozzi, despite the dirty tricks, despite the vaunted Nassau County Republican machine, we won," the Democratic lawmaker said.

On the eve of the election, Suozzi took aim at his opponent, tying her to Santos and to Trump, which many believe was key in helping defeat the Republican and win back the seat taken by Santos in 2022.

"Who knows what she really stands for? She's George Santos 2.0. It's the exact same nontransparent, phony baloney, just trying to get votes instead of saying what you really think," Suozzi said prior to the election.

Pilip took plenty of shots at Suozzi before the election, tying him to the ultra-progressive "Squad" and President Joe Biden's policies.

"You know, he is the one who opened the southern border. He voted with Biden 100% of the time. He supported squad members 90% of the time, he is the one who caused the migrant crisis," Pilip said.

After he's sworn in, Republicans will now have only a 219-213 majority in the lower chamber, which could be detrimental to bills on which the conference is split.

Suozzi will have to run again in November to secure the two-year term, and many believe he'll have a tough time winning.