County Legislator Pilip Chosen For Special Election To Replace Santos

GREAT NECK, NY — The Republicans have named Nassau County Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip to the special election in the race to replace George Santos in Congress, former congressman Peter King confirmed.

Pilip, an Ethiopian Jew, lived in Israel for many years and was a paratrooper for the IDF, before moving to Great Neck.

Pilip will face Tom Suozzi, who looks to win back his congressional seat on Feb. 13.

"People are sick and tired of the circus in Congress. Tom Suozzi has a proven record that he will work every day to try and bring common sense back to Washington by working across party lines, like he's always done," Suozzi Senior Advisor Kim Devlin said. "His focus is on helping families get ahead, improving veteran health care, cleaning our air and water, and protecting our suburban quality of life.”

While Suozzi's camp did not address Pilip in the statement, the House Majority PAC criticized the selection.

"The people of NY-03 have made it clear that they want honest, responsible representation from a steady hand and a trusted leader, yet New York Republicans selected Mazi Melesa Pilip – who recently campaigned with MAGA extremist Mike Johnson and previously endorsed serial fraudster George Santos," House Majority PAC NY's Alisha Heng said.

Santos was expelled earlier this month after a House Ethics Committee report claimed he used thousands of dollars to pay for personal items.