Who is Tom Suozzi? A look at the Democrat trying to flip Santos’ seat blue

The Democratic candidate for New York’s vacated third Congressional District, former Rep. Tom Suozzi, is looking for to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., in a race that has captivated nationwide consideration.

“I am the agent of change in this race because Washington is dysfunctional,” Suozzi informed Fox News Digital on the eve of Election Day Monday.

Suozzi’s feedback come as he seems to beat upstart Republican candidate Mazi Melesa Pilip in Tuesday’s particular election, which was made doable when Santos was expelled from Congress final yr after being indicted on federal expenses for allegedly defrauding donors.

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Former U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi speaks throughout a marketing campaign canvass kick off occasion, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Plainview, N.Y. The race to substitute disgraced former Rep. George Santos pits Democrat congressional candidate Suozzi towards Republican Mazi Pilip in New Yorks third district. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

The race guarantees to be a detailed one, with the most up-to-date polling exhibiting the candidates inside the margin of error of one another simply days forward of voters making their method to the polls.

Suozzi is no stranger to New York’s third Congressional District, having been elected to symbolize the similar constituents in 2018 and once more in 2022. Suozzi declined to search one other time period in Congress in 2022, as a substitute throwing his hat into the Democrat major in that yr’s race for governor in New York. But that bid resulted in disappointment for Suozzi, who completed third behind Jumaane Williams and incumbent New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.

That loss marked the second time Suozzi had failed in a bid to develop into New York’s governor, coming 16 years after shedding the Democratic major to Elito Spitzer, who would go on to win the basic election and function the state’s governor till his 2008 resignation.

Democrat Tom Suozzi and Republican Mazi Pilip met face to face in the first and solely debate, which aired Thursday night time, in the particular election for New York’s third Congressional District. (Getty Images)

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Before the unsuccessful first bid for governor, Suozzi served as mayor of Glen Cove, New York from 1994 till 2001, then turned the Nassua County Executive in 2002, a seat he held till the finish of 2009.

With the failed marketing campaign for governor in the yr view mayor, Suozzi introduced in December that he would as soon as once more be looking for to serve in Congress by changing Santos.

Former Rep. Tom Suozzi, Democratic candidate for New York’s third Congressional District, speaks throughout a marketing campaign rally at the Polish National Home in Glen Cove, N.Y., on Sunday, February 4, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc by way of Getty Images)

With simply hours earlier than voters made their determination in the race, the Democratic candidate expressed optimism in an interview with Fox News Digital, touting the enthusiasm of his supporters and the hundreds of volunteers who aided his marketing campaign.

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Suozzi additionally touted his historical past as a bipartisan deal maker, arguing his expertise aligns completely with what voters in the district need in a candidate.

“My whole career has always been about working across party lines to get things done,” Suozzi informed Fox News Digital. “That’s what people want, that’s the change we’re looking for.”