Border security dominates in New York special election to replace Rep. Santos

The special election to fill the remainder of the term of expelled New York Republican Congressman George Santoshas become the first test of the campaign strategy for Democrats in critical swing districts that could determine control of the House in November.

Immigration politics have dominated the contest in this New York district that sits thousands of miles from the U.S. border with Mexico. The race is between former Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi, who served three terms in the House, and Nassau County Republican county legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip.

Supporters of both candidates said a major influx of migrants into New York City is seriously impacting the district, which stretches from parts of working and middle class neighborhoods in Queens to wealthy suburbs in Nassau County, Long Island.

Public polls show a race tight in a district that has swung significantly in recent elections. President Biden won the district in 2020, but the GOP victory in the 2022 contest in the district, along with others in the New York suburbs, helped them flip control of the House in 2022. Criticism of Democrats' handling of crime drove independents to back GOP candidates.

Candidates and outside groups have spent over $20 million in ads and get out the vote operations on this upcoming election. This time the partisan fight over immigration could be a precursor for the 2024 fight for the White House and the House. Supporters of both candidates voting early over the weekend pointed to border security as a leading issue.

Voters say border security is top of mind

"Immigration is a problem, obviously, because we see it every day. So huge issue right now. And not only that, the immigration is also taking work from our union members as well.