Democratic Party sets sights on ‘MAGA’ candidate to challenge for Santos’ House seat

House Democrats are attempting to recapture the congressional seat once held by Republican George Santos by linking his potential successor to former President Donald Trump.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) recently released a thirty-second video describing Mazi Pilip as the candidate “hand-picked” by MAGA Republicans.

Pilip is running against former Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., in a special election for New York’s 3rd Congressional District seat, which was previously held by Santos. The seat became vacant after Santos was expelled from the House on Dec. 1 following an ethics report that accused him of converting campaign donations for his own use.

The ad released by Dems aims to connect Pilip to House conservatives and features a voice-over that states: “The MAGA Republican movement hand-picked their candidate for Congress, Mazi Pilip. And Pilip would join MAGA Republicans to pass an agenda that would hurt Nassau County and Queens.”

The ad also addresses potential cuts to Social Security, law enforcement jobs, and veterans’ benefits if Pilip were to support the MAGA agenda.

The ad is being aired on broadcast and cable in the New York City area and marks the DCCC’s first paid media investment in the special election.

Whoever wins the special election will finish Santos’ term and have the opportunity to be reelected in November.

Former Rep. Tom Suozzi had previously held the seat but resigned in 2022 to run for New York governor. The seat was eventually won by Gov. Kathy Hochul in the Democratic Party primary.

As of now, Republicans hold a 220-213 edge in the House, with two vacancies.

Democrat PAC groups have expressed their intention to get involved in the toss-up district.

The super PAC House Majority, focused on electing Democrats to the lower chamber, announced on Dec. 27 that it is allocating $5.2 million in initial television and digital reservations for the weeks leading up to the special election, as well as an initial $700,000 mail program for the district.