Internet not impressed as Democrats nominate 'typical' ex-congressman Tom Suozzi to replace George Santos

ALBANY, NEW YORK: New York Democrats have announced that former representative Tom Suozzi will be the Democratic nominee for the upcoming special election to replace George Santos, who was ousted from the House last week.

The special election is scheduled for February 13, 2024.

Suozzi, who previously held the congressional seat for six years before vacating the seat to launch an ultimately unsuccessful primary challenge to New York Governor Kathy Hochul last year, was chosen by the Democrats due to his name recognition and his experience in campaigning in the district.

Upon his nomination for the special election, Suozzi said in a statement posted on X, “I will work day and night with both parties to deliver for the people to make living here more affordable, safer, and better. I delivered for this district before, and I will do it again by putting you ahead of partisanship. Let’s reject the nonsense and get back to work.”

What did New York Democrats say about Tom Suozzi?

Nominees are chosen by county party leaders in the district under New York's special election laws.

Jay Jacobs and Rep Gregory Meeks, the chairs of the Democratic Party in Nassau and Queens counties, said in a joint statement, “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 everyday average Americans.”

The electoral battle for the district, which encompasses sections of Long Island and a small part of the New York City borough of Queens, is expected to garner a lot of attention as both parties eye New York as a potential arena for House control.

The election further provides Democratic leaders in New York a chance to redeem themselves after losing a handful of suburban congressional districts in last year's elections, giving Republicans a House majority.

New York City Governor Kathy Hochul was criticized heavily over the party’s losses in New York and recently she met with Suozzi in Albany to discuss his plans for winning back the seat and to ensure that his agenda aligned with that of the Democratic Party.

She told the New York Times this week when asked about the meeting, “The most important responsibility we have here in New York state, and I say this as the leader of the Democratic Party in New York, our responsibility is to take back the House of Representatives from the Santos-type Republican Party and to make sure Hakeem Jeffries is the speaker.”

Suozzi was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2016 and successfully won re-election in 2020.

Prior to this, he served as the Mayor of Glen Cove, New York, from 1994 to 2001, and was subsequently elected as Nassau County's Executive from 2002 to 2009.

The Republican Party has yet to reveal its chosen candidate for the upcoming election.

Per AP, some of the likely nominees for the special election include Mike Sapraicone, a retired police detective, Kellen Curry, an Air Force veteran, and Mazi Pilip, a Nassau County legislator who is an Ethiopian-born Jewish woman who served in the Israeli military, among others.

Internet is lukewarm to Tom Suozzi

People on X were not much enthused seeing Suozzi on the ballot for the February 13 special election.

One X user wrote, "Typical face".

Another user said, "Okay we will know his capacity".

Another user remarked, "Smallest shoes in the world to fill!"

One user tweeted, "I think he can handle that".

Another X user said, "The bar is low. Hell do fine."

Finally, this user tweeted, "Let's take back the house, Democrats can have full control of the country again".

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.