At the end of last year, Republican congressman George Santos was kicked out of Congress. Both Republicans and Democrats voted to expel a House member, the first time in twenty years, after Santos was hit with scandals and indictments.

That has left a seat open. A special election on February 13 will decide who will fill it.

It should come as no surprise to learn Democrats are campaigning hard to take that New York seat. But a surprise candidate is running as a Republican, an Ethiopian Jew who served in the Israeli Defense Forces. And now, she just got a major boost.

From Fox News:
Women For Winning PAC endorsed the Israeli Defense Forces veteran who is running as a Republican to fill Rep. George Santos’ seat in New York’s 3rd Congressional District special election, and will make a six-figure investment in her campaign, Fox News Digital has learned.

Mazi Melese Pilip, an Ethiopian Jew, immigrant to Israel and the United States, and mother of seven, is campaigning ahead of a Feb. 13 special election against former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi.

Mazi Melesa Pilip is an Ethiopian Jew who emigrated to Israel and later to the U.S. She is a veteran who served with the Israeli Defense Forces. She is running as a Republican to fill the New York congressional seat left vacated by disgraced George Santos.

The Women for Winning PAC maxed out their donations to help Pilip run her campaign. Not only that, but they are making a six-figure investment in digital ads, texting, and direct mail to urge voters to back Pilip.

This might be an advantageous time for Pilip to enter politics. While many progressives have openly attacked Israel, many New Yorkers have strong sympathies for Jewish people. There is a large Jewish population in the state. And many moderate Democrats have broken from their progressive allies to support the nation of Israel.

For a female former IDF soldier to be running on a New York ticket? That might be enough to attract more than just conservative voters.

Add to that recent voting trends in New York State. Since 2020, many districts are moving to the right, even in NYC. Pilip might be in a very good position to win this seat and protect the Republican majority in Congress.

Key Takeaways:

• A former IDF soldier and veteran is running as a Republican to fill Santos’s seat.
• Women for Winning PAC has maxed out their donations to her, investing a six-figure ad buy.
• Pilip is an Ethiopian Jew who emigrated to Israel and then to America.

Source: Fox News