Democrats pick up seat in US House as Suozzi wins in New York

Former Democratic congressman Tom Suozzi secured victory in a special U.S. House of Representatives election in New York on Tuesday, narrowing the slim Republican majority, which has faced challenges in passing legislation.

The vacancy arose after the expulsion of Republican George Santos from the House due to fraudulent misrepresentations about his background. Suozzi, who previously held the seat but stepped down to pursue a gubernatorial run, triumphed over Mazi Pilip, a Republican county legislator of Ethiopian origin with Israeli military service. The district encompasses a portion of New York City and parts of its eastern suburbs.

Suozzi’s win diminishes House Speaker Mike Johnson’s majority to 219-213, adding complexity to managing a fractious caucus. Recent struggles, such as the failed attempt to impeach President Joe Biden’s top border official, underscore the challenges Johnson faces. The measure eventually passed upon No. 2 Republican Steve Scalise’s return from cancer treatment.

Upcoming decisions loom for Johnson, including the consideration of a Ukraine aid bill passed by the Senate and addressing the looming government shutdown deadline.

The district’s political dynamics, shifting from Biden support in 2020 to Republican allegiance in the 2022 midterms, serve as a battleground for both parties’ strategies leading up to the pivotal November elections.

Suozzi, a moderate Democrat, pledged bipartisanship in addressing pressing issues like the migrant crisis at the southern border. However, he faced interruptions during his victory speech from pro-Palestinian protesters, highlighting internal divisions within the Democratic Party regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Immigration emerged as a central issue in the election, reflecting broader national concerns ahead of the anticipated Biden-Trump rematch. Pilip criticized Suozzi and Democrats for perceived border security failures, while Suozzi countered with calls for comprehensive solutions and criticized Republican rejection of a Senate-negotiated border security deal.

Abortion also featured prominently, with Democrats emphasizing the issue following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision curtailing abortion rights nationwide. Pilip, personally opposed to abortion, stopped short of supporting a federal ban.

Turnout for the special election, already anticipated to be low for a February contest, was further dampened by a winter storm, prompting both campaigns to offer transportation assistance to polling sites.