Scripps News and Decision Desk HQ project Democrat Tom Suozzi is the winner of New York's third congressional district special election.
Suozzi and Republican Mazi Pilip faced off in an election to decide who would replace embattled former Rep. George Santos.
This win sends Suozzi back to Washington. He held this seat from January 2017 to January 2023. After deciding to retire, he was replaced by George Santos, who won the congressional election in November 2022.
SEE MORE: Rep. Santos faces charges he stole donor IDs, used their credit cards
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the special election back in December, shortly after House lawmakers voted 311-114 to expel Santos. The vote came after a high-profile ethics probe found "overwhelming evidence" that Santos had broken the law. He was charged with 13 counts, including wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds and making false statements to Congress.
As the projected winner, Suozzi will fill Santos' vacant seat in the House until a permanent representative is decided in the November general election.
According to a Siena College Poll, voters said they trusted Suozzi more with things like abortion and democracy. Pilip scored higher marks for issues related to immigration and taxes.
The victory for Suozzi means that Republicans now have a narrower majority, 219-213, in the House.
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