WASHINGTON — Sensitive Republicans are playing it down The results of the special election victory of the House of Representatives For Democrats, this past week, while taking place in a district that typically mirrors the national climate, called the outcome a product of unique circumstances rather than a sign of things to come this fall.
Democrat Tom Suozzi Won the New York suburban district Which President Joe Biden carried in 2020 and which turned into former GOP Rep. George Santos in 2022. But as a strong Democratic Party reports for The upcoming battle for control of the houseA quartet of other Republicans in districts won by Biden told NBC News they are not worried about suffering the same fate in re-election.
Suozzi’s “profile is similar to mine on the other hand. He knows how to reach the middle. He sometimes criticizes his party. He’s willing to take on some of his people, and I think middle-class voters will respond to that,” said Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., a top Democratic target for Omaha. swing district.
“I have a similar profile in my district, where it’s my man,” Bacon said. “And I think Tom Suozzi is a tremendous candidate. This is the most important thing. This is probably the number one issue.”
Bacon and other Republicans argue that Suozzi, a six-term congressman who left to mount an unsuccessful bid for governor in 2022, was harmed by high name recognition, monetary advantages and an election-day snowstorm that hurt turnout.
Freshman Anthony D’Esposito, who represents neighboring Long Island, which voted for Biden in 2020, said the loss of Republican Mazi Philip was “disappointing” but vowed the party would “come back.” november
“It’s an exercise in early voting for Republicans — take it. “Obviously there was a lot of snow in some of our Republican strongholds between the time the polls opened and the afternoon, which probably kept some of our seniors at home that we depended on for a few thousand votes,” D’Esposito said.
“Tom Suozzi probably became known after being in politics for most of my life. I think there’s a concern on both sides that they see Washington as a little chaotic right now. And I think this is our job,” he said. “One of the things I’ve noticed since I’ve been here is to really make sure you have your boots on the ground, your ear to the ground and the voice of the people in your house. And this is one of the most important things for me.”
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., another top Democratic target representing the Hudson Valley region, said Suozzi won because he “ran a strong campaign” and was “de facto in office.”
Lawler added that Suozzi also “ran to the right on immigration.”
“Look, thanks to him. He had a good race,” Lawler said. “But at the end of the day, this is a district that Biden won by 8 points. George Santos was obvious spot in the race. Fortunately, now we can all get over George Santos and be done with him.”
Lawler said he did not regret voting to expel Santos, the indicted part-time congressman, despite complaints about it from within his party, “because I actually have ethical standards.”
Polls show that there is another reason to be skeptical that the outcome will be reversed in November: Democrats are now stronger with highly active voters in special elections.
Polls show that Republicans do better with voters who tend to stay home in year-round races but turn out in presidential elections.
Another Republican in a competitive district said the special election’s lessons are limited to the district.
“This is a reflection of New York’s 3rd District on February 13,” he said. “This is a picture. They had two good candidates. Tom is a good man. He is my friend and he knows the business. He has been here before.”
He asked about Suozzi attack strategy On border security, Fitzpatrick said he and Suozzi have “traveled together on the border” and “I look forward to working with him on this.”