Current:Home > FinanceIsraeli military veteran tapped as GOP candidate in special election to replace George Santos-LoTradeCoin
Israeli military veteran tapped as GOP candidate in special election to replace George Santos
View Date:2024-12-23 23:08:08
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Republicans have picked a little-known county lawmaker who once served in the Israeli military as their candidate in a special election to replace ousted New York congressman George Santos, party officials said Thursday.
Nassau County legislator and former Israeli paratrooper Mazi Pilip will face off against Democratic former congressman Tom Suozzi in a Feb. 13 special election for the seat, which includes northern parts of Queens and Long Island.
The selection pits Pilip, a relatively unknown local lawmaker originally from Ethiopia, against a political veteran in Suozzi, who previously represented the district for six years during a lengthy career in Long Island politics.
In a statement, Republicans in Queens and Nassau County loosely outlined some of her potential policy positions and said she would bring a new perspective to the House.
“Pilip is an effective tax fighter who will prioritize public safety, economic recovery, border security and tax relief in Congress,” the statement read. “She will bring a fresh new perspective to Washington, starkly contrasting her from the candidate for the other major political party.”
The party will hold a formal announcement ceremony for Pilip on Friday. She did not immediately return a message left at her office.
The election is expected to draw significant attention as both parties zero in on New York as a potential battleground for control of the House.
Republicans picked Pilip after vetting a number of potential candidates following the expulsion of Santos from Congress earlier this month for fabricating much of his life story and being criminally charged with defrauding donors.
The selection process appeared to be slowed after media began digging into the personal and professional histories of potential candidates, revealing damaging information that could become public during a campaign.
Politico reported last week that Pilip is a registered Democrat, though she holds her current position as a Republican and has been backed by Republicans when she was running for county office. The arrangement is not entirely uncommon in states that have closed primaries, where so-called crossover voters who identify with one party register under another so they can vote in primary elections.
Suozzi was tapped by Democrats last week after emerging as the party’s frontrunner for the nomination. His extensive political experience could be a major advantage when it comes to name recognition and fundraising for the special election.
Suozzi, a centrist Democrat, was elected to the House in 2016 and won reelection in 2020, before leaving to launch the unsuccessful campaign for governor. He also served as the mayor of Glen Cove from 1994 to 2001, and as Nassau County’s elected executive from 2002 to 2009.
veryGood! (19365)
Related
- Auburn surges, while Kansas remains No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll
- Feel Free to Bow Down to These 20 Secrets About Enchanted
- UN chief gives interview from melting Antarctica on eve of global climate summit
- As police investigate fan death at Taylor Swift show, safety expert shares concert tips
- Rachael Ray Details Getting Bashed Over Decision to Not Have Kids
- Feel Free to Bow Down to These 20 Secrets About Enchanted
- 5 people dead in a Thanksgiving van crash on a south Georgia highway
- Putin to boost AI work in Russia to fight a Western monopoly he says is ‘unacceptable and dangerous’
- Nicky Hilton Shares Her Christmas Plans With Paris, the Secret To Perfect Skin & More Holiday Gift Picks
- Daryl Hall is suing John Oates over plan to sell stake in joint venture. A judge has paused the sale
Ranking
- Judith Jamison, acclaimed Alvin Ailey American dancer and director, dead at 81
- Commuter train strikes and kills man near a Connecticut rail crossing
- Appeals court says Georgia may elect utility panel statewide, rejecting a ruling for district voting
- Washington Commanders fire defensive coaches Jack Del Rio, Brent Vieselmeyer
- Texas now tops in SEC? Miami in trouble? Five overreactions to college football Week 11
- Rapper Young Thug’s long-delayed racketeering trial begins soon. Here’s what to know about the case
- Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accused of sexual abuse by two more women
- New Zealand’s new government promises tax cuts, more police and less bureaucracy
Recommendation
-
After entire police force resigns in small Oklahoma town, chief blames leaders, budget cuts
-
Massachusetts is creating overnight shelter spots to help newly arriving migrant families
-
Papa John's to pay $175,000 to settle discrimination claim from blind former worker
-
Black Friday and Beyond
-
All Social Security retirees should do this by Nov. 20
-
Pep Guardiola faces fresh questions about allegations of financial wrongdoing by Manchester City
-
'Saltburn' ending: Barry Keoghan asked to shoot full-frontal naked dance 'again and again'
-
'Wait Wait' for November 25, 2023: Happy Thanksgiving!