8:52 a.m. ET, February 14, 2024
Takeaways from New York’s high-stakes special election
Immigration is a big issue – but is it a game-changer? Mazi Pilip and her fellow Republicans hammered Democrat Tom Suozzi over the migrant crisis in New York City, claiming he caused it along with Biden – a line that ultimately didn’t quite wash with voters who have long recognized Suozzi as a moderate or centrist.
Suozzi and state Democratic leaders countered Pilip’s migrant message and it never felt like the issue, typically a winner for the GOP, put Suozzi on the backfoot.
Redemption for top New York Democrats: Suozzi’s win is a major coup for the New York Democratic Party and its leaders, who came under heavy criticism from within over its candidates’ underwhelming performances in the 2022 midterms.
Democrats (still) have an Israel problem: Suozzi was interrupted by protesters accusing him of aiding and abetting a “genocide” by Israel in Gaza. The interruptions were as much a message to Democrats, especially Biden, as the once and now future congressman from a heavily Jewish district.
Don’t take away too much: Democrats would be wise to remember that Suozzi was a unique candidate with deep ties across Nassau County, where most of the voters reside. Pilip, on the other hand, was a relative unknown going into the race and a relative unknown coming out of it.
This article was originally published by a amp.cnn.com . Read the Original article here. .