(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) Republicans may be about to reclaim the seat in New York’s 3rd Congressional District, which is located in Long Island, for the first time in ten years.
According to Washington Examiner, GOP candidate George Santos holds a significant, double digit lead over 28 year-old Josh Lafazan.
Santos holds the lead despite Lafazan’s backing by outgoing Rep. Tom Suozzi, who mounted an unsuccessful primary challenge against now New York Governor Kathy Kochul instead of pursuing reelection for his congressional seat.
Santos, who has no primary challenger, is currently ahead of Lafazan by 11 points, with 44% of respondents backing him compared to 33% backing Lafazan.
Democrats have held the district since the retirement of former Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., in 2013.
The Cook Political Report currently ranks the district as a toss-up, but due to recent redistricting changes and an impending red wave it is likely the GOP will reclaim the seat.
Endorsing Lafazan put Suozzi at odds with many other big Democrats, such as Hillary Clinton and fellow Rep Grace Meng, D-N.Y., both of whom endorsed Robert Zimmerman.
Polling data did not include a match up between Zimmerman and Santos, but did find that the Clinton-backed candidate had an unfavorability rating of 16%.
Lafazan scored similarly, with 10% favorable and 22% unfavorable ratings.
Other candidates in the race earned even more lackluster ratings, clocking in the low teens for both favorably and unfavorable ratings.
The poor poll numbers have been attributed to lack of name recognition, with between 62% and 77% of voters “unsure” when asked for their take on the four Democratic candidates.
Favorability ratings for Santos were not provided.
Issues Democratic voters are concerned with in New York include crime and safety, inflation and taxes.
Santos, a first generation American, has been campaigning on making the New York streets safer and states that he will “fight for entrepreneurs, small businesses and hard working Americans.”
 Republicans may be about to reclaim the in New York's 3rd Congressional District, which is located in Long Island, for the first time in ten years.){kind=link}