The GOP's choice to replace George Santos: Mazi Melesa Pilip, of Ethiopian-Israeli origin and mother of seven children

George Santos was expelled from Congress at the beginning of December because his colleagues agreed that there was “substantial evidence” that the Republican had committed serious federal crimes, although he had not been formally convicted of any of them. Almost two weeks later, the New York Republican Party chose its candidate to fill the vacant seat: Mazi Melesa Pilip.

The news was confirmed by former representative Peter King, who assured that Pilip was going to be a “great candidate” since “she is really the American success story, the American dream.”

The 44-year-old Republican was born in Ethiopia, but at age 12, she moved with her family to Israel as part of Operation Solomon, which secretly transferred more than 14,000 Ethiopian Jews to the Jewish state. At 18, she served as a paratrooper in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and later studied at the University of Haifa, earning a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy. Sometime later, she finished her studies at Tel Aviv University and graduated with a master’s degree in diplomacy and security.

Pilip moved to the United States after getting married and entered the political arena in 2021 when she was elected to the Nassau County Legislature. Her legislative priorities were strengthening public safety, helping businesses that struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, and fighting antisemitism. Indeed, when she was re-elected in 2023 with 60% of the vote, she dedicated her victory to Israel.

“The U.S. has been a great country for me … I want to serve the people … I want to make sure my children, my grandchildren, your grandchildren will have the same opportunity like me,” she expressed in her first interview as a congressional candidate.

What about the Santos vacancy?

According to the United States Constitution, all vacancies in the House of Representatives must be filled by special elections scheduled by the state governor, in this case, New York.

Therefore, Kathy Hochul (D-NY) will set the date to elect George Santos’ replacement. According to the N.Y. state law, the elections must be called within ten days after the expulsion of the congress member in question, and the election day must be between 70 and 80 days after.

Unlike traditional elections, the parties will not hold primaries; local leaders will select candidates for special elections. In this case, Pilip is the GOP’s chosen one to fill the vacant Santos seat.