Tom Suozzi was sworn in last week to represent New York state’s Third Congressional District in Washington. Voters will have two more opportunities this year to reconsider their choice as Republican candidates line up to unseat him.
Mr. Suozzi flipped the seat formerly held by George Santos back to blue after he defeated Republican Mazi Pilip on Feb. 13 in a special election ordered by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat.
The special election was required after Congress expelled Mr. Santos last year.
“I don’t think Mazi Pilip is going to run again, not this year, but she certainly has a great future,” former Congressman Peter King (R-N.Y.) told The Epoch Times.
The Nassau County GOP has yet to endorse a candidate where Mr. King serves as second vice chairman.
“I know that several names are being considered,“ he said. ”As an organization, it’s our obligation to nominate a candidate, but if somebody wants to challenge them in the primary, they can. You can get no votes at the county convention and still circulate petitions to get your name on the ballot.”
The primary filing deadline for ballot access is April 4, while the independent filing deadline for the Nov. 5 general election is May 28, and primary election day is June 25.
Republicans who have announced their candidacy for June’s primary include Greg Hach and Jim Toes.
“I'd love to avoid a primary, no question, but I’m definitely not afraid of one,” Mr. Hach told The Epoch Times.
An Air Force veteran and attorney, Mr. Hach is investing $1 million of his own money toward the race.
He feels a duty to serve the country in Congress.
“I’m sick and tired of politicians getting up there and promising things they can’t and haven’t delivered,” Mr. Hach said. “Suozzi held this position three times before the special election and each of those three times he tried to achieve higher office.”
Mr. Toes, a 31-year resident of Manhasset, is a lifelong Republican and current president of the Security Traders Association, a nonprofit grassroots organization of members who represent financial services industry employees across varying business models.
While money is his greatest obstacle, Mr. Toes believes that hands-on experience with congressional committees that touch on the financial services industry is his strength.
“I spent 20 percent of my time for the past 12 years in D.C., and I understand what the commitment is about,” Mr. Toes said. “I have some good relationships on both sides of the aisle, and I have a good understanding of how Washington D.C. works.”
If elected, Mr. Toes pledges to not participate in any stock trading while he’s in office.
Kellen Curry, a U.S. Air Force Reserve officer who’s undecided about running again, is concerned about how engaged the donor class will be leading up to June and November.
Both Mr. Hach and Mr. Curry had thrown their hat in the ring for February’s special election before the party backed Ms. Pilip.
“The biggest factor is who the party wants to endorse,” Mr. Curry told The Epoch Times. “Avoiding a primary is important just because it’s going to be tough to get people to donate again in a contested primary, then ask them to donate again for the general election.”
Daniel Norber, a small business owner and community leader, dropped out of the race because of redistricting and Mr. Suozzi’s special election victory.
“I decided not to run, and I received the Republican nomination for state Assembly in my district ... District 16,” Mr. Norber told The Epoch Times.
The Democrat-dominated New York State Assembly and Senate rejected an independent commission’s court-ordered congressional district map and adopted a new one last week, which Ms. Hochul signed into law.
For the Third Congressional District, the redistricting removed the Republican-leaning South Shore communities and added portions of Suffolk County, such as Huntington Station, which consists of more Democrat constituents.
South Shore communities include Massapequa, Massapequa Park, and Massapequa East.
Mr. Curry, who was previously endorsed by seven current and former GOP congressmen, remains hopeful.
“A lot of Democrats on Long Island have been voting Republican, so sometimes, you can’t always go by what the map is on paper,” he said. “I do think it increases the attractiveness of having a candidate who can be a crossover candidate.”
Mr. Hach isn’t worried about the new boundaries interfering with his ability to sway the district either. He predicts that his message will be heard and received across county lines.
“I’m the guy you can absolutely trust,” Mr. Hach said. “There’s nothing in my past that will embarrass me or embarrass anybody else. I’ve created businesses. I’ve washed dishes. I’ve worked on landscaping trucks. I put myself through college and got a scholarship to law school. Then, I built a law firm that employs many people at very high wages. I have a history of doing the right thing and representing people successfully.”
