POLITICS
NY Dems Tap Former Rep. Tom Suozzi For Special Election To Replace George Santos
tom_suozzi/Instagram
New York Democrats on Thursday voted for former Rep. Tom Suozzi as their pick for the nomination to replace expelled former Rep. George Santos in an upcoming special election.
Santos was expelled this week by a vote 311–114 after a report from the House Ethics Committee found substantial evidence of campaign fraud. Santos previously survived two expulsion votes, but the Ethics Committee released the results of its months-long investigation last month, detailing substantial evidence Santos violated federal criminal laws, including using campaign funds on OnlyFans, Botox and luxury goods.
Santos is already facing a variety of federal charges, including wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds, and making false statements to the House of Representatives. He has pleaded not guilty.
Suozzi previously represented New York’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes parts of Queens and Long Island before vacating the seat to mount an unsuccessful run for governor. The district flipped to Santos, a Republican, in a surprise upset.
Nassau County and Queens County Democratic leaders were widely expected to pick Suozzi, who already announced in October that he was running to unseat Santos.
Tom Suozzi has a proven record of fighting for his constituents, fighting to safeguard our suburban way of life here on Long Island and Queens and always advocating for sensible solutions to the real challenges affecting everyday average Americans, Nassau County Democratic Party chair Jay Jacobs and Rep. Gregory Meeks, the Queens County Democratic chairman, said in a joint statement.
Republicans have been interviewing more than 20 potential candidates, and are expected to select their nominee next week.
The special election is scheduled for Feb. 13, 2024.
TMX contributed to this article.
