The two candidates, who are scheduled to go head-to-head in a special election next week to fill the vacant House seat held by former Rep. George Santos, exchanged heated words when asked about a variety of topics during the debate. Ta. immigration and abortion.
Democrat Tom Suozzi, a former congressman and two-time unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate in the Empire State, and Republican Maji Pilip, a former Israel Defense Forces soldier and relative political newcomer who serves on the Republican county council, are on Long Island. We met face to face. In the first and only debate in New York’s 3rd House special election.
The pre-recorded discussion, hosted by News 12 Long Island, covered many of the topics that matter most to voters as they consider who to vote for in a contentious election.
Asked by voters in the district who participated in the debate what steps he would take to address New York City’s immigration crisis and its impact on people living in the district, Pillip said: Before addressing internal issues,
Suozzi, a Democrat running for George Santos seat, puts his 2019 post on ice amid New York’s immigration crisis
Democrat Tom Suozzi and Republican Maji Pilip met Thursday night in the first and only debate in New York’s 3rd House special election. (Getty Images)
“So we cannot answer how we will proceed before we secure the border,” she added. “Once we secure our borders, we need to reconsider who those people are and what we should do about them.”
In response to Pilip’s comments on the subject, he did not specifically address the question of how he would deal with immigration, but said: “Pilip says there is a problem, there is a problem, there is a problem. “She has no solution.” The solution being proposed in the U.S. Senate would actually build more walls, hire more Border Patrol agents, deal with asylum seekers, change laws to improve conditions, and give New York state and government money. It’s about providing. New York City needs to address the current immigration crisis it faces. ”
“Now they’re trying to get more immigrants into Creedmoor,” he continued. “I’ve already filed a complaint with New York City and said, ‘Please don’t put it in that place anymore.’ The reality is, I know how government works, and I know how to get things done. I know who to talk to, I know how to stop things, I know how to make things happen. My opponent in this race is very good at pointing out problems… “However, this If she opposes the bipartisan agreement, the border will remain open for years and years and more immigrants will come to New York. She has no solution. That’s not how you govern.”
The bipartisan “solution” mentioned by Suozzi in the exchange between the candidates comes on top of an ambitious border security and immigration package that failed to pass the Senate on Wednesday, plus additional aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. It appears to be a spending agreement. .
Former Congressman Tom Suozzi, Democratic candidate for New York’s 3rd Congressional District, speaks at a campaign rally at the Polish National Hall in Glen Cove, New York on February 4, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
Echoing Suozzi’s comments, Pilip said: “It’s great that you came up with a solution. You created this problem. You were there. You were in charge of this problem, Tom. .That’s great. We have to acknowledge that.”
“Are you saying you’re going to fix it now? I mean, come on,” she added.
Israeli Defense Forces veteran turns to New York Republican candidate to replace George Santos, vows to serve as ‘Squad’, slams Suozzi as fake moderate
Pillip said Suozzi was unfit to deal with the issue, claiming he had “opened the borders” and voting alongside President Biden and aligning himself with progressive “split” Democrats. I have consistently accused him of doing so.
“Tom Suozzi opened the borders. Tom Suozzi funded sanctuary cities. Tom Suozzi kicked ICE out of Nassau County,” she said. “This is absolutely you. You have to own it.”
Suozzi called Pilip’s accusations “ridiculous” and indicated he supports Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Nassau County Legislator Maji Melesa Pilip during a press conference on December 15, 2023 in Massapequa, New York. (Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“Your suggestion that I am a member of the team is as believable as your being a member of George Santos’ volleyball team,” Suozzi told Pilip.
Prior to his comments this week, Suozzi shared a guide that appeared to instruct immigrants on how to deal with ICE agents in the event of a raid promised by then-President Trump in 2019. A social media post resurfaced, prompting outrage from Pilip. He told Fox News Digital that Facebook posts from the time showed Suozzi “cannot escape Joe Biden’s history of supporting open borders, sanctuary cities, and lawless states.” Told.
On the topic of abortion, Pilip, who said she is “pro-life” and a mother of seven children, said, “I do not intend to force my beliefs on any woman. Therefore, I do not support abortion. I have no intention of doing so.” Nationwide abortion ban. ”
Pressing Pilip on the issue, Suozzi questioned Pilip about whether he would vote to codify Roe v. Wade, repeatedly asking, “Are you pro-choice?”
Voting signs for the New York 3rd Congressional District special election are seen outside City Hall on February 4, 2024 in Glen Cove, New York. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
Pillip did not directly respond to Suozzi’s questions on the issue, instead accusing the New York Democratic Party of trying to tell women what to think about their bodies and distorting his record on the issue. did.
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“You tell such a lie,” replied Pilip.
released on Thursday, Siena College Poll A poll conducted for Newsday from Feb. 3 to Feb. 6 found Suozzi leading Pilip among likely voters, 48% to 44%.
The special election is scheduled to be held on February 13th, and early voting began in the district on February 3rd.
