"Trump Criticizes GOP Candidate's Loss in NY Special Election"

Former President Trump criticized Republican congressional candidate Mazi Melesa Pilip for her loss in a Long Island special election, attributing it to her failure to strongly endorse him. He urged Republicans to choose a "real candidate" to challenge Democrat Tom Suozzi in the November general election. Suozzi won the seat by an 8% margin, reversing the 2022 upset by the Republican candidate in the suburban swing district. Both candidates sought to distance themselves from their party's leaders, with Pilip avoiding discussing Trump, and Suozzi distancing himself from President Biden.