Last year, Republicans joined with Democrats to remove Rep. George Santos from office. Santos had been charged with a variety of crimes. However, he had not been convicted of anything—as his trial is still pending.

Despite being innocent until proven guilty, Republicans overwhelmingly voted to kick him out of Congress. That left the party with one less seat, in an already thin majority.

A special election was held to fill the seat left vacant by Santos’ ousting. And the results were decided this week.

From The Post Millennial:
The special election for ousted Rep George Santos former House seat was held on Tuesday, and the Republicans lost the seat. Democrat Tom Suozzi beat out Republican Mazi Pilip 59 to 41 percent. Republicans still hold a majority, but Democrats have inched one seat closer to control. Suozzi will be up for reelection in November.

Hey Americans!

Please thank these two gems for losing a seat in the house today! pic.twitter.com/ePSG72Ht1N

— George Santos (@MrSantosNY) February 14, 2024

Democrat Tom Suozzi beat  Republican candidate Mazi Pilip. Pilip had previously served in the Nassau County Legislature. This gives Democrats one more seat in the House, giving them another incumbent, as we enter the 2024 Election.

Santos and other critics slammed Republicans for giving up a seat. While Republicans voted against a party member, it is rare to see Democrats do the same. Sen. Menendez is currently facing convicting over serious crimes. Yet there has not been an attempt to remove him from office, since Democrats will not risk their majority.

Donald Trump weighed in on the loss. And he is giving his theory as to why Pilip lost.

From Fox News:
“Republicans just don’t learn, but maybe she was still a Democrat? I have an almost 99% Endorsement Success Rate in Primaries, and a very good number in the General Elections, as well, but just watched this very foolish woman, Mazi Melesa Pilip, running in a race where she didn’t endorse me and tried to ‘straddle the fence,’ when she would have easily WON if she understood anything about MODERN DAY politics in America,” Trump wrote.

Trump seems to believe Pilip lost because she did not endorse his campaign. He suggested she might still be a Democrat. Pilip was a registered Democrat in 2012. She has since switched parties. Yet she has tried to distance herself from the former president, even saying she wouldn’t support him if convicted.

It appears Trump believes she would have easily won with his help. Signs show that deep blue New York is shifting to the right, thanks to Biden and the fumbled leadership of Gov. Hochul and Mayor Adams. Trump is even considering holding rallies in the city, in the coming months.

Could his influence have helped Pilip win? I guess we’ll never know.

Key Takeaways:

• Republicans lost a special election to fill the vacant seat of Rep. Santos.
• Santos was kicked out of Congress after Republicans voted against him.
• Trump called the failed GOP candidate “foolish” for not endorsing him.

Source: The Post Millennial, Fox News