NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — There are four days left in the early voting period for the 3rd Congressional District special election to replace expelled Rep. George Santos, and the race is too close to call, according to a poll released by Newsday and Siena College Research Institute on Thursday.
Former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi, who previously held the seat, leads at 48% while GOP-backed Nassau County Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip trails at 44%. The gap is within the poll’s 4.2 percentage point margin of error.
Don Levy, director of the Siena College Research Institute, said that the race is so close that it will likely come down to voter turnout. Each candidate possesses qualities that make them attractive to their potential constituents in parts of Nassau and Queens counties, and there is still time to sway the 7% of respondents that are undecided.
“While both candidates have nearly breakeven favorability ratings, Suozzi is seen by voters as likely to do a better job on protecting democracy, addressing the issue of abortion, determining aid to Ukraine and making Congress work more effectively while Pilip is viewed as better on addressing the influx of migrants and by a slim margin on establishing American policy towards the Israel-Hamas war,” Levy said.
Potentially influenced by a flux of negative ads created by both campaigns, a majority of voters believe that Suozzi will voter for higher taxes, and Pilip would vote for a nationwide abortion ban.
The poll surveyed 694 voters between Feb. 3 and Feb. 6, and they were contacted via phone off the registered voters list in the district.
The poll also addressed the upcoming presidential campaign, with the surveyors putting former President Donald Trump at a 5-point lead ahead of President Joe Biden. Both candidates are viewed negatively, however, with Trump and Biden’s numbers 15 and 18 points in the negative, respectively.
Following Santos’ unceremonious removal from Congress, Gov. Kathy Hochul slated Feb. 13 as the date of the special election.
Traditional voting will be held Tuesday before the results are read.
Santos still faces a 23-count federal indictment related to his campaign fundraising and spending, issues at the source of the ethics report that led to his expulsion.