Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a proclamation ordering a special election on February 13, 2024, to fill the vacancy in the United States House of Representatives Third Congressional District for the unexpired term of George Santos.

Santos was expelled on December 1, causing House Republicans to be down a seat for the next two months, with an even narrower majority in the closely divided chamber.

The seat in Nassau and Queens counties is a key piece in the Democrats’ plan to retake the House majority next year.

Former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi, who left in 2022 to mount a failed run for governor, is a lead contender to reclaim his old seat.