Republicans in New York have nominated a registered Democrat as the GOP’s candidate to run for the seat in Congress recently vacated by former Rep. George Santos (R-NY).
New York Republicans have picked Mazi Melesa Pilip to succeed Santos as the representative for the 3rd Congressional District.
In an unprecedented move, Republicans removed Santos from Congress after he was accused of a crime.
Pilip will face former Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), the Democrats’ candidate.
However, Pilip has been enrolled as a Democrat since 2012, according to the Gateway Pundit.
She previously served in the Israeli Defense Forces as an Ethiopian-born Jew who fled to Israel as a child.
New York Republicans pick Mazi Melesa Pilip to succeed George Santos.
She has been enrolled as Democrat since 2012 and served in the Israeli Defense Forces as an Ethiopian-born Jew who fled to Israel as a child. pic.twitter.com/vc4DSoSnKE
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) December 15, 2023
The Huffington Post and the New York Times also confirmed that Pilip is a registered Democrat.
“Pilip’s political career has been short so far,” the Post reported.
“She first won election to the Nassau County legislature in 2021 and won reelection last month.
“Although Pilip was elected on the Republican line, she is a registered Democrat, according to reporting from The New York Times.
“A spokesperson for the Nassau County Republican Party did not immediately return a request for comment.
“New York GOP Chairman Ed Cox declined to comment.”
The Republican Jewish Coalition, the largest GOP-aligned Jewish political organization, endorsed Pilip’s candidacy on Thursday.
Despite his controversies, Santos was a conservative voter with a 100% rating from Heritage Action.
After two failed runs for governor, Democrat Suozzi is hoping to reclaim his house seat after Santos was expelled.
In response to Suozzi’s announcement, the Nassau County Republican Committee said in a statement:
“It’s official, the Congressman who abandoned his House of Representatives’ seat to George Santos is eager to be back on the public payroll.
“What’s more, Tom Suozzi is ready to do the bidding for extremist politicians, including Governor Kathy Hochul, Joe Biden, AOC, and The Squad.
“He’s already scampered up to Albany, begging the Governor for the Democrat nomination, agreeing to the Governor’s demands on what to do and how to vote.
“Clearly out-of-step with the district, Tom Suozzi has asked to be a member of The Squad, a request to which AOC gushed, ‘you’re in.’
“Neighbors can only imagine how he will respond to President Biden’s demands.
“Tom Suozzi has levied double-digit tax hikes on homeowners, supported ‘Sanctuary City’ policies, and taken soft-on-crime positions.
“Neighbors have had enough of Tom Suozzi’s extreme politics, which are out-of-touch with hard-working residents of Long Island’s 3rd Congressional District.”
