Republicans tap ex-Israeli paratrooper Mazi Pilip for George Santos seat

Long Island and Queens Republicans will nominate Nassau County legislator Mazi Pilip —  — a former Israeli paratrooper and native of Ethiopia — to run as its candidate to replace the expelled George Santos in the House of Representatives, GOP officials confirmed Thursday.

A formal announcement of Pilip’s candidacy will take place Friday in Massapequa.

The special election for the vacant seat of the Third Congressional District — which takes in much of Nassau County and parts of eastern Queens — will be held Feb. 13 . 

Pilip, who resides in Great Neck, will face off against former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi, who repped the Third District for six years before resigning to pursue an unsuccessful run for governor in 2022.