3rd Congressional District: Zimmerman And Santos In Historic Race

LONG ISLAND, NY — Long Island's 3rd Congressional District's race is making national headlines for two reasons: It's the first time two openly-gay candidates have faced off in a Congressional election. And in a district that President Biden defeated Trump by ten points, recent polling is showing a close race between Democrat Robert Zimmerman and Republican George Santos.

Zimmerman, 68, of Great Neck, owns a communication company. He served as a Democratic National Committee member and was nominated by President Clinton to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Presidential Commission on the Arts and to the National Council on the Humanities by President Obama.

As for his goals in office, Zimmerman said: "In Congress, I'll fight to defend abortion rights, stop gun violence, protect voting rights, address the climate crisis, and make Long Island and Queens more affordable for middle-class families."

George Santos, 34, of Queens, has a finance and investment background. He was also the Republican nominee in 2020. According to his official campaign biography "George is a seasoned Wall Street financier and investor, with extensive work in capital introduction, real estate, capital markets, bio-tech and ETC."

He told Ballotpedia, "I will work to end the inflation crisis ..make New York's Third Congressional District a safer place for everyone ... [and] preserve the American dream for many generations to come."

To read more about how the candidates stack up on the issues, read a recap of a live debate held earlier this month.

The two are competing for the seat Democrat Thomas Suozzi is leaving, after he lost his bid for New York governor.

For more information about how to vote on Nov. 8, check out our Suffolk and Nassau Election Day guides.