Democrats see New York special election win as a blueprint for defeating Trump in November

• Democrat Tom Suozzi defeated Republican challenger Mazi Pilip in a New York special election to replace scandal-plagued former Rep. George Santos.
• President Joe Biden and Democrats are hailing the win as a repudiation of criticism about Biden's abilities while taking notes on how to defeat Donald Trump in the general election.
• Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said Suozzi's strategy on the key issue of immigration offered a "roadmap" for Democrats.

Democrats aren't just breathing a sigh of relief after flipping a red seat blue in New York's special election — they're taking notes.

Tom Suozzi soundly defeated Republican challenger Mazi Pilip on Tuesday night in the high-profile race to replace scandal-plagued former Rep. George Santos, who was expelled in December.

Suozzi's victory narrows the House Republican majority, making life even more difficult for Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who has already struggled to pass bills along party lines.

President Joe Biden and his reelection campaign are hailing the win as a sweeping repudiation of an avalanche of recent criticism about Biden's ability to stand at the top of his party's ticket.

But he and his Democratic allies also see the race as a guidepost for how to defeat former President Donald Trump in the general election, and how to push back on GOP attacks that have dominated the political landscape.

One of their clear takeaways: Don't shy away from the border debate.

Republicans in recent months have relentlessly hammered the Biden administration over its handling of the U.S. southern border, as record numbers of migrants cross over through Mexico. On the same day as the special election in New York, House Republicans voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro