Early voting ends in special election to replace George Santos
BAYSIDE, Queens (WABC) -- Early voting ended Sunday evening in the closely watched special election to replace ousted U.S. Rep. George Santos in New York's 3rd Congressional District.
Republican Mazi Pilip and Democrat Tom Suozzi are competing to fill the seat, which represents suburbs just east of New York City plus a small part of Queens. It became vacant after Santos was expelled from the House late last year after getting charged with multiple counts of fraud and donor theft.
Suozzi held a rally in Plainview Sunday, while Pilip made no public appearances.
While the Santos scandal gives the race a unique backstory, the candidates have campaigned on issues that could be aimed at suburban voters anywhere, with Republicans hammering away on immigration and crime while Democrats cast themselves as the last line of defense on abortion rights.
Tuesday's special election gives both parties an opportunity to assess strategies for November's general election when New York is expected to be a battleground in the fight for control of the House, where Republicans now hold a thin majority.
On Friday, both candidates cast their ballots during early voting.
"Voting for Mazi means voting to secure the border, voting to create more safe environment, voting to lower taxes," said Pilip at a recent stop.
Suozzi defended his record during a recent campaign rally.
"I brought in money for the Long Island Sound; I brought in money for roads and bridges and sewer and water," he said. "I did things to help make people's lives better."
On Saturday, Suozzi, who held the seat before an unsuccessful run for governor, held a meet-and-greet in Whitestone, Queens.
Supporters of Pilip held a grassroots car rally in Bellerose, Queens.
The polls for early voting closes Sunday at 6 p.m.
There will be an off day on Monday with voting resuming Tuesday at 6 a.m.
ALSO READ | Suozzi, Pilip clash in fiery New York special election debate
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