Democrat Tom Suozzi projected to beat Mazi Pilip in New York special election: ABC News
The race has been watched for signs of how voters feel in a presidential year
NEW YORK -- Democrat Tom Suozzi has won the special election in New York's 3rd District, defeating Republican Mazi Pilip to flip a House seat from red to blue, ABC News projects, based on analysis of the vote.
As a result, Republicans' already narrow House majority has been reduced to 219-213.
Follow live election results for New York's 3rd Congressional District race
Pilip delivered a concession speech in East Meadow, New York, on Tuesday night:
"I did call my opponent. I congratulated him," she said.
The race has been closely watched for signs of how voters are feeling early in a presidential year in a suburban area that has swung between the two major parties.
Suozzi and Pilip were running in a special election as a result of disgraced former Rep. George Santos' expulsion late last year.
District significance
The battle on Long Island to succeed Santos could look relatively minor, since the winner will be in office for only a few months before the next general election; and it's just one congressional seat.
But the election involved millions of dollars, the attention of national groups and the return of notable political players -- a reflection of how this off-cycle contest isn't passing by with little fanfare.
Instead, the race came to be seen by some Democrats as a high-stakes litmus test of their electability in the very areas where they'll need to win in November if they want to retake Congress.
Suozzi represented a version of the same district for three terms and declined to run in 2022; Pilip, an Ethiopian-born former Israeli army soldier, is a current county legislator.
Notable issues included the border and immigration, public safety and abortion access.
The NY-3 seat represents suburbs just east of New York City plus a small part of Queens.
Democrats spent heavily during this campaign to boost Suozzi and retake the district. Republicans have dominated on Long Island in recent elections.
ALSO READ | Suozzi, Pilip clash in fiery New York special election debate
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