In a recent special election, Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), emerged victorious in New York, reclaiming the U.S. House seat that was left vacant after the expulsion of former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.).

What Happened: Suozzi secured the win against Republican Mazi Pilip, a county lawmaker, in a race that could be a significant indicator in the battle for control of Congress, reported the Associated Press.

At 10:03 p.m. EST, AP declared Suozzi as the winner after analyzing initial vote results, which indicated a significant lead for him. Out of an estimated 51% of votes counted, Suozzi was leading with nearly 58.7% votes.

The victory has narrowed the Republican majority in the House and provided a much-needed win for Democrats in New York City’s Long Island suburbs, where the GOP had shown unexpected strength in recent elections.

During his campaign, Suozzi, a political centrist, emphasized issues that Republicans have used to criticize Democrats, such as advocating for stricter U.S. border policies and a rollback of New York laws that made it harder for judges to detain criminal suspects awaiting trial.

This win is expected to reassure Democrats about their performance in suburban communities across the nation, which is crucial to the party’s efforts to regain control of the U.S. House and re-elect President Joe Biden.

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Why It Matters: The special election in New York’s suburbs was necessitated by Santos’ expulsion by his colleagues in December, midway through his first term. Santos’ expulsion from Congress was the result of a series of scandals and legal troubles. He was indicted on multiple charges, including allegations of stealing money from Republican donors. Despite these allegations, Santos had publicly declared his likely expulsion as a “badge of honor.”

Earlier, Santos had also been charged for his involvement in a deceptive crypto scheme known as the “Nigerian Prince” fraud. His legal troubles had led to sharp criticism from fellow lawmakers, including Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who had criticized Santos for his language slip in a thank-you note amid the legal troubles.

Meanwhile, an unusual special election in the suburbs of New York City concluded on Tuesday following a snowstorm that affected the district. The campaigns were pushed into a last-minute rush to encourage voters to participate.

Photo Courtesy: Ron Adar On Shutterstock.com

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This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.