Tuesday, February 13th was a strong and happy day for Democrats. The replacement special election for disgraced representative George Santos was held, with the results majorly in favor of the Democrat in the race. Tom Suozzi’s victory in New York’s 3rd Congressional race offers Democrats a political lifeline and a path forward toward 2024. 

New York 03, voted for Biden by nearly 10 percentage points in 2020. The then incumbent Tom Suozzi won his election in 2020, but went on to lose in 2022 to George Santos. Suozzi had been the congressman for NY03 since 2016, but took the opportunity to reclaim his territory when Santos was expelled from the House.

The nominee on the Republican side was Mazi Pilip, a politician serving in New York’s Nassau County Legislature. She represents Nassau County, Long Island’s 10th district.

Pilip and Suozzi both had very interesting campaign experiences, as they were both thrown into many domestic and international crises which all needed their opinion. The main topic that both candidates were able to throw their support behind? Israel. Both candidates supported Israel in the fight against Hamas, sparing voters from choosing sides in the polarizing issue. 

The big win for Suozzi isn’t just big for the voters in NY03… it is a signal of a significant win for Biden’s domestic 2024 plan. Biden and the Democratic Party have been largely investing in domestic local races, and have been successful in doing so. Democrats were able to flip Michigan’s State House and Senate, as well as win over the Virginia General Assembly, a huge win for them in a state where their presence has not been overly welcomed.

The main policy discussion in this election had been the issue of immigration. Pilip claims there can be no safe communities with our “current open border policies,” whilst Suozzi says ​​“If I was in Congress, I would absolutely support it,” referring to the current border deal being discussed in the House and Senate, “It’s what people want and people deserve action on this crisis, at this time.”

Both candidates acknowledge that there is a crisis taking place at our southern border, but both had very different approaches to how that should be solved.

Democrats can sigh a breath of relief after last night’s victory, as they can finally see a path forward for victory in 2024. The night offers a tough blow to former President Donald Trump’s plan to turn the country red before this November.