Overview and Live Results: Special Election Tuesday to Fill the Congressional Seat Held by George Santos

In a closely-watched election that could break either way, voters in New York's 3rd Congressional District will select a replacement for Republican George Santos who was expelled from the House on December 1. 

There are also several state legislative special elections.

U.S. House Special Election

New York Congressional District 3

Republicans hold a narrow 219-212 advantage over Democrats in the U.S. House. Of the four vacancies, this is the only competitive one in terms of party control. As a result, the election has taken on national importance with almost $20 million in spending.

District 3 encompasses portions of the North Shore of Long Island in Nassau County, with a small portion extending into the New York City borough of Queens. It is the wealthiest district in New York and ranked fourth in that category nationwide. Santos won by a 54% to 46% margin in 2022.

The parties chose their nominees, as is the norm for a New York special election. Republicans selected Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip.  She won her seat in 2021.

The Democrats chose a familiar name, former Rep. Tom Suozzi. He previously served three terms in the House, before an unsuccessful bid for governor in 2022.

Major issues include immigration, abortion, and support for Israel.

Polling has been very limited, but a survey released last week by the well-regarded Siena College showed Suozzi held a 48% to 44% edge. Notably, those same voters preferred Donald Trump over Joe Biden by a 5-point margin when asked about the 2024 presidential election. 

Early voting began February 3 and ended on Sunday. A significant winter storm will impact the area Tuesday, with the heaviest snow continuing into early afternoon. This could affect Election Day turnout.

Polls close at 9:00 PM Eastern Time. 

Separately, on Monday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced an April 30 special election to fill the vacancy in the 26th Congressional District. Democrat Brian Higgins resigned from this Buffalo district earlier in the month.

Legislative Special Elections

Member data courtesy of Ballotpedia

Georgia State Senate District 30

District 30 sits west of Atlanta and extends to the Alabama border. Former Majority Leader Mike Dugan resigned last month to seek the Republican nomination for Congressional District 3, where incumbent Drew Ferguson (R) is retiring. Dugan was unopposed for reelection in 2022.

This all-party primary includes three Republicans and one Democrat. If one candidate gets a majority of the vote, they are elected. Otherwise, the top two finishers will meet in a March 12 runoff.

Polls close at 7:00 PM Eastern Time.

Georgia State House District 125

District 125 is just west of Augusta. Republican Barry Fleming resigned in early January, after he was appointed as a Superior Court judge by Gov. Brian Kemp. Fleming was unopposed for reelection in 2022.

The all-party primary includes three Republicans, one Democrat, and one Libertarian. If one candidate gets a majority of the vote, they are elected. Otherwise, the top two finishers will meet in a March 12 runoff.

Polls close at 7:00 PM Eastern Time.

New York State Assembly District 77

District 77 is in the Bronx borough of New York City. Democrat Latoya Joyner resigned last month. Joyner won by an 86% to 14% margin over her Republican challenger in 2022. 

The nominees, Democrat Landon Dais and Republican Norman McGill, were chosen by their respective political parties.

Polls close at 9:00 PM Eastern Time.

Oklahoma State House District 39

District 39 sits slightly north of Oklahoma City. Republican Ryan Martinez resigned in September, after pleading guilty to DUI. He had served for seven years in the State House, and was unopposed for reelection in 2020 and 2022.

Erick Harris won a crowded Republican primary by less than 50 votes. Regan Raff won the Democratic nomination. Libertarian Richard Prawdzienski is also on the ballot.

Polls close at 8:00 PM Eastern Time.

Pennsylvania State House District 140

District 140 sits in Bucks County, along the Delaware River to the northeast of Philadelphia. Democrat John Galloway resigned in December after being elected to a judicial seat. Galloway was unopposed for reelection in 2022. In 2020, under slightly different boundaries before redistricting, Galloway defeated his GOP challenger by a 60% to 40% margin.

As the AP reports, "Control of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives hangs in the balance in a special election on Tuesday in the Philadelphia suburbs. If that sounds vaguely familiar, it’s because this is the fourth time in a year the balance of power in the narrowly divided lower chamber has been upended by a vacancy, with a fifth time potentially in the works."

The quote above - like those in many articles written about this election - is no longer entirely accurate. Until late last week, this special election was going to determine the party in control of an evenly-split State House. However, that equation changed when Republican Joe Adams (District 139) resigned Friday for health reasons.

Democrats now hold a one-seat advantage.

Polls close at 8:00 PM Eastern Time.

Upcoming Elections

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