New York holds special election to replace George Santos

While Democrats celebrate and Republicans dust themselves off, here are some key takeaways:

Immigration is a big problem, but is it a game changer? Mazi Pilip and his fellow Republicans criticized Democrat Tom Suozzi over the migrant crisis in New York City, alleging that he caused it along with Biden, a line that ultimately did not go over well with voters who have long recognized Suozzi. as a moderate or centrist.

Suozzi and state Democratic leaders responded to Pilip’s immigration message, and the issue, typically a winner for the Republican Party, never seemed to put Suozzi on the defensive.

Redemption for top New York Democrats: Suozzi’s victory is a major blow to the New York Democratic Party and its leaders, who came under heavy criticism from within for their candidates’ disappointing performance in the 2022 midterm elections.

Suozzi’s success also provides Biden and to national Democrats with a narrative shakeup — a bit of good news when concerns about the president’s paltry poll numbers and intensifying concerns about his age have stoked anxiety about a likely rematch with the former president. donald trump. The district clearly won Biden in 2020, but Long Island Democrats had been losing there since then, until Tuesday.

The weather mattered: Heavy snowfall in the tri-state area Tuesday complicated the trip. A good thing for Democrats who, unlike many Trump-slave Republicans, embrace the idea of ​​early voting.

Democrats (still) have a problem with Israel: Suozzi was heckled by protesters who accused him of aiding and abetting “genocide” by Israel in Gaza. The interruptions were as much a message to Democrats, especially Biden, as they were to the once-and-now-to-be congressman from a predominantly Jewish district.

Don’t remove too much: Democrats would do well to remember that Suozzi was a unique candidate with deep ties throughout Nassau County, where the majority of voters reside. Pilip, on the other hand, was relatively unknown coming into the race and relatively unknown coming out of it.