Mazi Melesa Pilip

Pilip was born in extreme poverty in a small village in rural Ethiopia that did not have electricity or running water, and is an Ethiopian Jew.{{Cite web|url=https://jewishinsider.com/2023/12/mazi-melesa-pilip-special-election-long-island-gop-nominee/|title=Mazi Melesa Pilip discusses her policy platform in pivotal special election|first=Matthew|last=Kassel|date=December 19, 2023|website=Jewish Insider}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-14/long-island-gop-taps-mazi-melesa-pilip-in-race-to-replace-santos|author=Laura Nahmias and Christian Hall|title=In Race to Replace George Santos, NY GOP Taps Ethiopia-Born IDF Vet|date=December 14, 2023|publisher=Bloomberg}}{{Cite web|url=https://aish.com/from-an-ethiopian-village-to-the-ny-legislature/|title=From an Ethiopian Village to the NY Legislature|date=January 29, 2023|author=Kylie Ora Lobell|website=Aish}}{{Cite web|url=https://forward.com/news/478772/this-jewish-woman-of-color-a-former-israeli-paratrooper-just-won-a-seat-in/|title=This one-time refugee and former Israeli paratrooper just won a seat in her county legislature|date=November 29, 2021|website=The Forward |first=Jacob |last=Kornbluh}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-729280|title=Will George Santos be replaced by an Ethiopian-Jewish legislator?|website=The Jerusalem Post|first=Joanie|last=Margulies|date=January 22, 2023}} She immigrated to Israel in 1991 as a refugee when she was 12 years old, along with her family, as part of Operation Solomon.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jta.org/2023/01/19/politics/meet-the-real-jewish-republican-of-color-being-floated-to-replace-george-santos-the-fake-one|title=Meet the real Jewish Republican of color being floated to replace George Santos, the fake one|first=Ron|last=Kampeas|date=January 19, 2023|work=JTA}} The operation was an Israeli military operation that covertly airlifted over 14,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel in a day and a half. She has three sisters, all of whom live in Israel, and one of whom is a detective.{{Cite web|url=https://issuu.com/jewishhome/docs/currentissue_cc25946c78968a/s/14480960|title=From Ethiopia to the IDF to the Nassau County Legislature; TJH Speaks with Leg. Mazi Melesa Pilip|first=Susan|last=Schwamm|website=Five Towns Jewish Home|date=January 6, 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.fox5ny.com/news/ny-gop-select-mazi-melesa-pilip-as-nominee-to-fill-george-santos-seat|title=New York GOP selects Mazi Pilip as nominee to fill George Santos seat|first=Adeja|last=Shivonne|date=December 14, 2023|website=FOX 5 NY}}

Upon turning 18 years of age, she served Israel's mandatory military service in the Israel Defense Forces' Paratroopers Brigade (Tzanchanim) as a gunsmith.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/new-york-republicans-choose-mazi-melesa-pilip-house-nominee-replace-ge-rcna129426|title=New York Republicans choose ex-Israel Defense Forces soldier as nominee to replace George Santos|date=December 19, 2023|website=NBC News}} After her service in the army, Pilip studied at the University of Haifa, where she was chairwoman of the Ethiopian Student Union for two years, and earned a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy. She also studied at Tel Aviv University, earning a masters degree in diplomacy and security.

While at the University of Haifa she met her future husband, Adalbert Pilip, who had been born in Ukraine. He was an American-Ukrainian-Jewish medical student from a family of Holocaust survivors who had come from the United States to Haifa to study medicine at the Technion, later becoming a cardiologist.

After she and her husband married, they moved to the United States in 2005, ultimately settling in Great Neck, New York. She is an Orthodox Jew, has been vice president of her synagogue (Kol Yisrael Achim), and has been active in trying to revitalize Great Neck and in pro-Israel advocacy. She and her husband have seven children.{{Cite magazine |magazine=The New Republic |language=en-US |date=2023-12-14 |accessdate=2023-12-15 |url=https://newrepublic.com/post/177592/republicans-replacement-george-santos-mazi-melesa-pilip |title=Republicans Have a Replacement for George Santos—and She's a Doozy |issn=2169-2416 |first=Ellie Quinlan |last=Houghtaling}}

In November 2021, Pilip was elected to New York's Nassau County Legislature as a Republican legislator for Nassau County, Long Island's 10th district, flipping it by defeating four-term incumbent Democrat Ellen Birnbaum by seven percentage points.{{cite news |first=Candice |last=Ferrette |date=November 3, 2021 |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/nassau-legislature-election-results-x80822 |title=GOP maintains control, gains a seat on the Nassau legislature |work=Newsday}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.longislandpress.com/2021/12/06/red-wave-brings-political-sea-change-on-long-island/|title=Red Wave Brings Political Sea Change on Long Island|first=Timothy|last=Bolger|date=December 6, 2021|website=Long Island Press}} The district covers Manhasset, Manhasset Hills, North Hills, Searingtown, Herricks, and the nine villages on the Great Neck peninsula, and is just east of New York City.Makini Brice (December 14, 2023). [https://www.reuters.com/world/us/ny-republicans-pick-pilip-seek-george-santos-former-seat-congress-2023-12-14/ "N.Y. Republicans pick Pilip to seek George Santos' former seat in Congress,"] Reuters.{{Cite web|url=https://theislandnow.com/mazi-pilip-wants-to-revitalize-downtowns-combat-hate-in-10th-legislative-district/|title=Mazi Pilip says she wants to help revitalize downtowns, combat hate in 10th Legislative District|first1=Robert|last1=Pelaez|date=November 23, 2021|work=The Island Now}} She gave birth to twin daughters weeks before the election.

Pilip campaigned on reviving Great Neck's downtown, and acting as a bridge among the many minority communities in the district.{{Cite web|url=https://greatneckrecord.com/legislator-pilips-advocacy-helped-save-express-trains-in-great-neck/|title=Legislator Pilip's Advocacy Helped Save Express Trains in Great Neck|work=Great Neck Record|date=October 12, 2022}} She became the first-ever Republican from Great Neck to be elected a Nassau County Legislator.{{Cite web|url=https://liherald.com/glenhead/stories/republicans-select-mazi-melesa-pilip-as-candidate-for-3rd-congressional-district,203595|title=Republicans select Mazi Melesa Pilip as candidate for 3rd Congressional District|first=Will|last=Sheeline|date=December 14, 2023|website=Long Island Herald; Glen Head}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theleaderonline.com/single-post/republicans-sweep-in-historic-election-wins|title=Republicans Sweep in Historic Election Wins|date=November 8, 2021|website=The North Shore Leader|first=Chris|last=O’Neill}} Her priorities have also included public safety, helping businesses that struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, and fighting antisemitism.{{Cite web|url=https://greatneckrecord.com/nassau-county-legislator-pilip-honors-detectives-who-busted-catalytic-converter-ring/|title=Nassau County Legislator Pilip Honors Detectives Who Busted Catalytic Converter Ring|work=Great Neck Record|date=January 11, 2023}} She is chairwoman of the Nassau County Legislature Towns, Villages & Cities Committee, and vice chairwoman of its Health & Social Services Committee.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/506/District-10---Mazi-Melesa-Pilip|title=District 10 – Mazi Melesa Pilip | Nassau County, NY – Official Website|website=Nassau County New York}}

In November 2023, she won a second term as Nassau County legislator representing District 10 as a Republican (endorsed by the Conservative Party) with 60% of the vote.{{Cite web|url=https://theisland360.com/featured/legislator-pilip-advocates-for-continued-collaboration-with-constituents-in-re-election-bid/|title=Legislator Pilip advocates for continued collaboration with constituents in re-election bid |first=Cameryn|last=Oakes|date=October 31, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://theisland360.com/featured/nassau-republicans-maintain-12-7-control-of-the-county-legislature/|title=Nassau Republicans maintain 12–7 control of the county Legislature |author=Brandon Duffy, Cameryn Oakes, Karina Kovac|date=November 8, 2023}} She had been endorsed by the New York League of Conservation Voters, which cited her driving legislation transferring county land to the Great Neck Park District, approving funding for a streets initiative and water quality protection, and supporting efforts to protect the county's sole source aquifer.{{Cite web|url=https://nylcv.org/candidate/mazi-melesa-pilip/|title=Mazi Melesa Pilip|website=New York League of Conservation Voters}} Conservative donor and former US Ambassador to Austria Ronald Lauder was her biggest single donor during her race.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2023/12/5-things-know-about-mazi-pilip/392774/|title=5 things to know about Mazi Pilip|date=December 14, 2023|author=Austin C. Jefferson |website=City & State NY}} She dedicated her win to Israel.

As early as January 2023, Pilip name was put forward as a potential candidate should a special election be held to replace George Santos, who had been plagued by scandal since being elected in 2022, as representative for New York's 3rd congressional district in the 118th United States Congress. In December 2023, Santos was expelled, leaving the seat vacant.

On December 14, 2023, a panel of Republicans from Queens and Nassau Counties selected Pilip as the Republican nominee in the special election scheduled for February 13, 2024 to succeed Santos after his expulsion. The Nassau County legislative district that Pilip represented was part of the 3rd congressional district.Makini Brice (December 14, 2023). [https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2023-12-14/n-y-republicans-pick-pilip-to-seek-george-santos-former-seat-in-congress "N.Y. Republicans Pick Pilip to Seek George Santos' Former Seat in Congress,"] U.S. News & World Report. The panel chose her after considering more than 20 candidates.{{Cite web|url=https://abc7ny.com/george-santos-special-election-gop-mazi-melesa-pilip/14183491/|title=GOP expected to nominate former IDF soldier to fill George Santos' vacated House seat: officials|date=December 14, 2023|website=ABC7 New York}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/mazi-pilip-special-election-iaxhw4an|title=GOP picks Mazi Melesa Pilip to run in special election to replace ousted George Santos|first=Paul|last=LaRocco|date=December 15, 2023|website=Newsday}} Her opponent in the general election was Tom Suozzi, the district's former representative in Congress.

Although Pilip held office as a Republican and has adopted traditional Republican positions on certain issues, she was a registered Democrat.{{Cite web|url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2023/12/14/gop-nomination-mazi-melesa-pilip-george-santos-congressional-seat|title=GOP nominates Nassau legislator Mazi Pilip to run for Santos' seat|date=December 14, 2023|website=NY1|author=Bobby Cuza}} The campaign was largely fought on the issue of migration into the United States.{{Cite news |date=February 13, 2024 |title=New York 3rd Congressional District Special Election Results |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/02/13/us/elections/results-new-york-us-house-3-special.html |work=The New York Times}} Pilip agreed to participate in only one debate during the campaign, after early voting had started.{{Cite web|url=https://www.longislandpress.com/2023/12/28/tom-suozzi-mazi-pilip-set-for-feb-8-debate/|title=Tom Suozzi, Mazi Pilip Set For Feb. 8 Debate|first=Michael|last=Malaszczyk|date=December 28, 2023|website=www.longislandpress.com}}{{Cite web |last=Eidler |first=Scott |date=Jan 5, 2024 |title=Tom Suozzi says Mazi Melesa Pilip is dodging debates in 3rd District special election |url=https://www.newsday.com/amp/long-island/politics/tom-suozzi-mazi-pilip-waaf95e0}}

On February 13, 2024, Pilip received 46% of the vote to Suozzi's 54%.{{Cite web |last=Gusoff |first=Carolyn |date=2024-02-13 |title=Democrat Tom Suozzi declares victory over Republican Mazi Pilip in NY-03 special election - CBS New York |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/tom-suozzi-special-election/ |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}

Pilip has described herself as "pro-life" while stating that "abortion is a very personal decision".{{Cite web |last=Picket |first=Kerry |date=December 19, 2023 |title=New York GOP-backed candidate for Santos seat says she won't back abortion ban |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/dec/19/new-york-candidate-mazi-melesa-pilip-for-george-sa/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=The Washington Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/new-york-playbook/2023/12/20/life-imitates-new-york-political-art-00132631|title=Life imitates New York political art|first1=Jeff|last1=Coltin|first2=Emily|last2=Ngo|first3=Nick|last3=Reisman|date=December 20, 2023|website=POLITICO}} She has said that she would not support a national abortion ban.{{Cite web|url=https://theisland360.com/featured/pilip-pulls-out-of-lakeville-estates-event-while-suozzi-calls-for-more-debates/|title=Suozzi presses Pilip for more debates ahead of special election - Featured|first=Brandon|last=Duffy|date=January 3, 2024}} However, she has refused to answer questions regarding restoring Roe v. Wade or her position on restrictions that fall short of a national ban.{{Cite web |last=Fandos |first=Nicholas |date=February 9, 2024 |title=Who Will Replace George Santos? Takeaways From the Pilip-Suozzi Debate |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/08/nyregion/debate-pilip-suozzi-santos.html |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}

Pilip has spoken out against antisemitism in the United States, and in particular antisemitism on American college campuses.{{Cite web|url=https://ny1.com/nyc/manhattan/news/2023/10/26/columbia-university-students-hold-pro-israel--pro-palestine-rallies|author= Rebecca Greenberg|date= October 26, 2023|title=Columbia University students hold pro-Israel, pro-Palestine rallies|website=ny1.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/gop-picks-ethiopian-born-israeli-american-to-run-for-seat-of-expelled-ny-rep-santos/|title=GOP picks Ethiopian-born Israeli-American to run for seat of expelled NY Rep. Santosl; Nassau County legislator and former IDF paratrooper Mazi Pilip to face off against Democratic former congressman Tom Suozzi in February 13 special election

|author=Ron Kampeas|date= 15 December 2023|work=The Times of Israel}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/mazi-pilip-o6x07dvt|title=Mazi Melesa Pilip, GOP's pick to replace George Santos, has had quiet, brief tenure in Nassau Legislature|first=Scott|last=Eidler|date=January 1, 2024|website=Newsday}}

Pilip has made combatting rising crime rates and improving public safety a key focus of her platform, and cites it as a motivator for her campaign.{{Cite web|url=https://www.liherald.com/stories/house-of-representative-candidate-mazi-melesa-pilip-leads-by-example,204355|title=House of Representative candidate Mazi Melesa Pilip 'leads by example'|first=Will|last=Sheeline|date=December 22, 2023|website=Herald Community Newspapers}}

When an audience member during a debate asked Pilip and Tom Suozzi whether they support a ban on the type of assault weapons frequently used in mass shootings, Pilip said, "I don't see any reason why the average American or individual would have more powerful weapons than our cops" but did not answer whether she supported banning semiautomatic weapons like AR-15s.

Support for Israel is viewed as a key issue in New York's 3rd congressional district, with both candidates underlining their staunch support of Israel with Pilip highlighting her service with the IDF's Paratroopers Brigade.{{Cite web |last=Ngo |first=Emily |date=2023-12-15 |title=Support for Israel at heart of crucial New York special election |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/15/israel-new-york-special-election-00132113 |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=POLITICO |language=en}} She vocally supported Israel's response to the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, stating that Israel had an "obligation" to protect its civilians from terrorists.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-31 |title=Israel has 'an obligation' to protect their people: Mazi Melesa Pilip {{!}} Fox Business Video |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/video/6340220219112 |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Fox Business |language=en-US}}

Pilip is in favor of taxes being low, and views taxes as one of the main issues for the district.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2023/12/5-things-know-about-mazi-pilip/392774/|title=5 things to know about Mazi Pilip|date=December 14, 2023|website=City & State NY}}Maegan Vazquez and Azi Paybarah (December 15, 2023) [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/12/14/mazi-pilip-tom-suozzi-santos-seat-house/ "GOP-backed Pilip to face ex-congressman Suozzi to replace Santos in special election; The Feb. 13 race in New York is expected to be competitive and could be a bellwether for control of the House in 2024,"] The Washington Post.{{Cite web|url=https://www.5tjt.com/nassau-county-legislator-mazi-melesa-pilip-selected-as-congressional-candidate-in-ny-3/|title=Endorsements Roll In For Hopeful Santos Replacement Mazi Melesa Pilip|first=Michele|last=Justic|date=December 17, 2023|website=The 5 Towns Jewish Times}}

Regarding the multiple indictments facing Donald Trump, Pilip has said: "Trump has to go through his process" and "No one's above the law. We have great candidates right now. Trump is one of them. We'll wait and see. Whoever the nominee is, we'll support him all the way."{{Cite news |last1=Edelson |first1=Daniel |last2=York |first2=New |date=2023-12-20 |title=An IDF veteran could be the first Israeli in the US House of Representatives |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rk8f00uevp |access-date=2024-01-11 |work=Ynetnews |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Kassel |first=Matthew |date=2023-12-19 |title=Mazi Melesa Pilip discusses her policy platform in pivotal special election |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2023/12/mazi-melesa-pilip-special-election-long-island-gop-nominee/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Jewish Insider |language=en-US}} She added that she would not support Trump for president if he is convicted of a crime.{{cite web |title=Mazi Pilip, GOP candidate in NY, won't support Trump if criminally convicted |url=https://pix11.com/news/local-news/mazi-pilip-republican-ny-wont-support-trump-if-criminally-convicted/ |website=PIX11 |access-date=26 February 2024 |date=31 January 2024}}

Pilip is in favor of continued U.S. support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/15/israel-new-york-special-election-00132113|title=Support for Israel at heart of crucial New York special election|first=Emily|last=Ngo|date=December 15, 2023|website=POLITICO}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/gop-selects-pilip-for-special-election/article_e0f2b9fc-680e-580f-b9f8-55333eec27fb.html|title=GOP selects Pilip for special election|author=Sophie Krichevsky|date=December 21, 2023|website=Queens Chronicle}}

Pilip is opposed to the 2024 U.S. Senate bill to address the Mexico–United States border crisis, saying its passage would amount to "the legalization of the invasion of our country".{{Cite news |last=Gambino |first=Lauren |date=2024-02-15 |title=Democrats see New York election win as model for tackling immigration issue |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/15/democrats-immigration-border-2024-election-tom-suozzi |access-date=2024-02-19 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} She was endorsed by the National Border Patrol Council labor union in February 2024.{{cite news | last = Fandos | first = Nicholas | date = February 8, 2024 | title = Migrant Crisis Complicates Democrats' Bid to Regain George Santos's Seat | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/08/nyregion/tom-suozzi-santos-election.html?unlocked_article_code=1.T00.yi06.LvDu1WMRnFzi&smid=url-share | work = The New York Times}}{{cite news | last = Rivoli | first = Dan | date = February 7, 2024 | title = Mazi Pilip gets border patrol support in NY-3 election | url = https://ny1.com/nyc/queens/politics/2024/02/08/mazi-pilip-gets-border-patrol-support-in-special-house-election | work = Spectrum News}}

Pilip opposes the wearing of face masks in public places and sponsored Nassau County's mask ban, claiming that "terrorist supporters" were "hiding behind" masks while "terrorizing the Jewish community."{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/14/nassau-county-new-york-mask-ban | date = August 14, 2024 | work = The Guardian | title = New York county signs first mask ban into US law, sparking controversy | last = Gabbatt | first = Adam}} Pilip's proposed legislation, which was signed into law in August 2024, was condemned by public-health experts and received strong opposition from civil- and disability-rights advocates.{{cite news | url=https://www.newsday.com/news/health/mask-health-nnt9z82t | date = August 16, 2024 | last1 = Colangelo | first1 = Lisa L. | last2 = Olson | first2 = David | title = Public health experts concerned about Nassau mask ban, application of exemption}}{{cite press release |author= |title=NYCLU Condemns Nassau County Mask Ban |url=https://www.nyclu.org/press-release/nyclu-condemns-nassau-county-mask-ban |publisher=NYCLU |date=August 5, 2024}}{{cite press release |author= |title=Nassau County Mask Ban Violates Federal & State Law |url=https://www.drny.org/page/news--press-3/news/nassau-county-mask-ban-violates-federal--state-law-17.html |publisher=Disability Rights New York |date=August 9, 2024}}

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/506/District-10---Mazi-Melesa-Pilip "Nassau County; District 10 – Mazi Melesa Pilip"]
• [https://maziforny.com/ Campaign website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pilip, Mazi Melesa}}

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