I used to represent NY-3 in Congress. Here’s what today’s special election means.

David Rothkopf : New York's 3rd Congressional District , on Long Island , is a model of a suburban congressional district that both parties must win in November .

He says Tom Suozzi , a Democrat , is the perfect candidate for a condensed special election.

But the GOP has chosen Mazi Melesa Pilip , a virtual newcomer to politics with only two years of experience in the Nassau County Legislature , to replace George Santos .

He writes: The narrative propelling voter unease is crime and immigration.

Steve Israel : It's a challenge to get voters to the polls in a special election, especially one in the middle of February .

Suozzi’s lead over Pilip is within the margin of error, he says.

Israel : The problem with special elections is that they tend to produce more punditry than voters.

Ultimately, the special election won't reflect the overall national mood, but it will reveal the pulse in suburban districts in November .