Political analysts say Long Island sent nation a message after Suozzi wins New York’s 3rd Congressional District
Political experts say Tom Suozzi's win over Mazi Pilip showed the power and importance of Long Island suburban voters.
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Political analysts say Long Island sent the nation a message after Tom Suozzi wins the race for New York’s 3rd Congressional District and will be sworn in at the end of February.
News 12 learned Suozzi will be sworn-in on Feb. 28. His swearing in to his old job comes nearly two weeks after the race for the seat drew a national spotlight.
"Long Island is, by definition, moderate, purple, and swing.," said Mike Dawidziak, a political consultant with Strategic Planning.
It's a lesson the nation learned Wednesday after former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi defeated Republican Nassau Legislator Mazi Pilip.
Political experts say this showed the power and importance of Long Island suburban voters.
"Long Island is basically saying, 'Pay attention to us. Pay attention to our issues. Pay attention to what we care about,'" said Dawidziak.
With Suozzi headed back to Congress, voters hope they'll see changes on issues like immigration, the economy, and housing.
"The economy and everything. I mean, it costs a fortune to live on Long Island now. Taxes, food are astronomical. Everything is on the rise. Gas, everything,” said Gil Doremus of Plainview.
Others say a focus needs to be shifted on where tax dollars are going.
"All the extra spending,” said Angela Dunbar, of Syosset. “Tax dollars going anywhere but to the people paying those taxes.”
Suozzi will have eight months to get to work before having to seek re-election in November and by then, the lines of the congressional district he just won could be redrawn.
While many national pollsters are using Tuesday night's election as a bellwether for the November election, some say that may not be wise.
"Special elections are unique sets of circumstances by definition,” said Dawidziak. “I would just be very, very cautious in taking lessons from this race being predictive of what might happen in November."
Suozzi will be the only democrat representing Long island in the house, but analysts say they expect him to work well with his GOP colleagues.
