NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – New York Democrats chose Rep. Tom Suozzi on Thursday as their nominee for the special election to replace the recently vacated seat of former GOP Rep. George Santos.
Nassau County and Queens County officials voted for Suozzi, 61, who previously represented the 3rd District based on Long Island.
He left Congress last year to run for governor, a race he lost to Gov. Hochul.
"Tom Suozzi has a proven record of fighting for his constituents, fighting to safeguard our suburban way of life here on Long Island and Queens and always advocating for sensible solutions to the real challenges affecting every day average Americans,” Nassau County and Queens County Democratic Committees said in a statement. “We look forward to working with the Suozzi Campaign, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to restore integrity, competence, and a focus on the real needs of our larger community.”
Even before Santos was expelled, Suozzi had launched his campaign for the seat and has since garnered endorsements from various local politicians and labor groups following the vacancy of the district.
The special election to fill the seat encompassing parts of Long Island and a section of Queens is scheduled for Feb. 13.
The Republican Party is expected to announce their candidate shortly, with selections being made by party leaders in accordance with state law, rather than through primary elections.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.