A new Emerson College Polling/PIX11 survey of New York voters in the 3rd congressional district finds Tom Suozzi (D) leading Mazi Pilip (R), 45% to 42%, with 5% planning to vote for someone else.

Nine percent are undecided ahead of the February special election to replace George Santos, who was expelled from Congress in December.

The Gothamist: “While Democrat Tom Suozzi is traversing New York’s 3rd Congressional District to bolster support from the voters he used to represent in Congress, Republican candidate Mazi Pilip has kept her schedule largely under wraps, appearing at events with party officials, avoiding her opponent, and undecided voters, on the campaign trail.”

“Pilip’s low public profile is proving fodder for Suozzi’s campaign, which is chiding her for ‘ducking’ candidate forums and debates, including one Wednesday morning held by several chambers of commerce on Long Island.”

“The Democratic-aligned House Majority PAC is putting down $5.2 million in initial reservations for TV and digital ads to try to win the House special election to replace the expelled Rep. George Santos (R-NY),” NBC News reports.

“The two month race to represent the New York House district once held by the ousted Republican Rep. George Santos is expected to cost up to $20 million,” CNBC reports.

Former Rep. Peter King (R-NY) told Politico that it’s probably an asset that Mazi Melesa Pilip (R) — the Republican nominee for the special election to fill George Santos’s (R-NY) seat — is actually registered as a Democrat.

Said King: “The fact that she’s a Democrat, that actually could be a plus because that is more of a Democratic district.”

“Republicans battling to hold onto the New York House seat vacated by George Santos chose on Thursday another relatively unknown candidate with a remarkable biography but a thin political résumé to run in a special election next year,” the New York Times reports.

“After extensive vetting, Republican leaders selected Mazi Melesa Pilip, a local legislator who was born in Ethiopia, served as a paratrooper in the Israel Defense Forces and ran for office for the first time in 2021 vowing to fight antisemitism.”

“It was a bold gamble by Long Island Republicans, a group better known for nominating older, white establishment figures.”

Playbook: “She’s also a registered Democrat.”

Former Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) will be announced as the Democratic nominee for New York’s 3rd congressional district special election to replace expelled Rep. George Santos (R-NY), Jewish Insider reports.

“It seems like New York’s 3rd Congressional district is destined for drama,” Politico reports.

“Following the extraordinary saga surrounding George Santos, one of the top two GOP favorites to replace the recently-ousted representative is a registered Democrat — despite having twice been elected as a Republican to the Nassau County Legislature.”

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the special election to fill expelled Rep. George Santos’ House seat will be Feb. 13, CNBC reports.

Until then, House Republicans will be down a vote, leaving them with an even narrower majority in the chamber than usual.

National Journal: “With Santos’ expulsion, Republicans can afford to lose only three votes on legislation, meaning it’s all the more important for the GOP to keep the seat. Democrats hope a win will propel them into a wave in New York and across the country, setting the stage for an expensive race that will be contested by both parties.”

“Operatives on both sides of the aisle expect this to be one of the most expensive special elections in history, and they expect both parties to invest heavily. One House Democratic strategist said spending could approach or exceed that of the 2017 special election in Georgia’s 6th District. That race, the most expensive special House election in history, saw nearly $30 million in spending.”

“Former Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) has been making calls in recent weeks to shore up support among members of the New York congressional delegation and may announce a bid for his old seat as soon as next week,” City & State reports.

“Suozzi, who gave up his seat for an ill-fated gubernatorial run last year, would join an already crowded field of Democrats seeking to replace scandal-ridden Rep. George Santos (R-NY).”

Rep. George Santos (R-NY). whose unexpected victory in November was quickly marred by revelations that he had lied or exaggerated about virtually his entire biography on the campaign trail, announced Monday that he was running for re-election, the New York Times reports.

Former Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) is considering running for his old seat, which embattled Rep. George Santos (R-NY) now holds, CNBC reports.

Cook Political Report: “The political incentives at play here are pretty clear: not only did McCarthy desperately need Santos’s vote for speaker; he can’t afford to cut the GOP’s lease on the seat short. A Santos resignation or expulsion would set up a special election in a Long Island district that would have voted for President Biden 53%-45% in 2020 — giving Democrats a phenomenal opportunity to narrow Republicans’ already-tenuous 222-213 majority.”

“At the same time, it’s great politics for other New York GOP freshmen, including Reps. Nick LaLota (NY-01), Anthony D’Esposito (NY-04), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Marc Molinaro (NY-19) and Brandon Williams (NY-22) to demand Santos’s resignation. All five are up for reelection in Biden-won seats in 2024 and would vote to declare the radioactive Santos a federal Superfund site if it bolstered their standing with independent voters…”

“If Santos were to somehow make it to the November 2024 ballot, the seat would be a slam dunk for Democrats. The far more likely scenario is that he’s demolished in a primary if he runs at all, making the fall race a Toss Up. We don’t feel that Santos belongs in the same category as other vulnerable Republicans, so New York’s 3rd CD will start in the Lean Democrat column in our initial ratings.”