For Immediate Release:
February 8, 2024
Pilip Delivers Erratic Performance In Only Debate with Suozzi
Suozzi highlights his command of the issues and ability to work across party lines to get things done
Glen Cove, NY– In the only debate she agreed to in the special election for New York’s Third Congressional District, Mazi Pilip was knocked off her game from the very beginning.
The moderator constantly pushed her for specifics, but she struggled to provide any. When challenged by Tom Suozzi on issues such as abortion, gun safety, and immigration, she was defensive, flustered, and unprepared to respond – making clear why she’s avoided debates until five days before the election and why, in Congress, she would be unable to get anything done.
On abortion, it was crystal clear that Pilip will line up with extremists in the Republican Party. When Suozzi pointed out Pilip’s support for the Dobbs decision, opposition to codifying Roe v. Wade, and embrace of the Conservative Party line, which supports a ban on abortion even in the case of rape or incest, Pilip offered no coherent response. Clearly knocked off her talking points, she instead tried to talk over Suozzi.
On gun safety, she toed the NRA line. She was challenged multiple times whether or not she would support a ban on assault weapons, and again, she offered no coherent response. In contrast, Suozzi highlighted his staunch support for an assault weapons ban and his “F” rating from the NRA.
On immigration, Pilip simply repeated tired talking points, offering no solutions, and had no answer for her opposition to the bipartisan Senate bill on the border. Suozzi called her out multiple times on exactly what she’d do to solve the broken immigration system, asking her “You say there’s a crisis at the border, over and over. We all know this. What would you do?” Pilip had no answer.
Tom Suozzi reinforced his command of the issues and, throughout the entire debate, his ability to work with both parties to get things done. This was in stark contrast to Pilip, who at several times throughout the debate, resorted to finger-pointing.
“Mazi Pilip’s performance was incredibly unsettling,” Suozzi for Congress Senior Advisor Kim Devlin said. “Pilip was completely uninformed, constantly repeated scripted talking points, and grew increasingly erratic over being challenged on issues.”
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Tom Suozzi, trained as an attorney and CPA, is the former Congressman for New York’s 3rd Congressional District, Nassau County Executive, and Mayor of Glen Cove. Tom has committed his 30-year public service career to delivering for his constituents. His philosophy of working with anyone who shares his goal of solving problems and delivering for his constituents has guided his career and led to notable accomplishments on issues including protecting the environment, common-sense gun safety, full access to reproductive health care, immigration, caring for our veterans, affordable healthcare, and fiscal responsibility.