House of Representative candidate Mazi Melesa Pilip ‘leads by example’

We need to lead by example. We need to know how to solve problems, and even if we don’t agree that’s fine.”

Mazi Melesa Pilip, congressional candidate

A new political contender has emerged in the race for New York’s 3rd Congressional District, bringing with her what she describes as a unique background and perspective on the challenges facing the nation.

Mazi Melesa Pilip, the Republican Party’s choice for the Feb. 13 special election to replace disgraced congressman George Santos, is not exactly well-known in the district, having been first elected to the Nassau County Legislature in 2021. But she tells the Herald she’s eager to get the chance to meet her prospective constituents.

Born in Ethiopia in1979, Pilip and her family were among the thousands of African Jews airlifted out of the country during Operation Solomon in the early 1990s following the overthrow of the Ethiopian government by Tigrayan and Eritrean rebels. Pilip said Israel became her family’s home, and by the end of the decade, she was serving in the Israel Defense Forces as a paratrooper.

It was after her military service Pilip pursued higher education — a journey that eventually led her to Long Island. She holds a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from Haifa University and Technion, and a master’s degree in diplomacy and security from Tel Aviv University, both in Israel.

Pilip has lived on Long Island since 2009, settling in Great Neck with her husband Adalbert — a cardiologist — and their seven children. Drawn to Long Island by her husband’s fellowship at Stony Brook University, Pilip emphasized how much the welcoming and diverse nature of the community drew her in, praising the school system and expressing gratitude for the ease of maintaining her kosher lifestyle.

“It’s a beautiful, just a beautiful community,” Pilip said. “Just such a diverse and welcoming group of people.”

Yet, even the best things have their issues. And Pilip says she wants to solve them. That led her to run for the county legislature in 2021, where she focused on challenges of the current environment, expressing concern about rising crime rates and a perceived decline in public safety.

Pilip’s decision to enter politics was fueled by a desire to contribute positively to her community and address the evolving issues that have impacted the nation.

“As a mother, I am worried,” Pilip said. “I cannot say, ‘Mazi, don’t worry about it, Great Neck is safe, it is protected.’ Nobody is protected. Everybody can get them.”

While she believes in a need for oversight of law enforcement, Pilip emphasized she has a deep respect for those who put their lives on the line to protect their communities. She called for constructive discussions and collaboration to improve the system without undermining the essential role of law enforcement.

Pilip also touched upon the hot-button issue of immigration, making it clear her support for legal immigration. She criticized the current open-border policies, citing concerns about national security and the potential impact on communities.

“I’m an immigrant,” Pilip said. “This country was found by immigrants. But you don’t bring millions here without a plan. It’s not fair to the American people.”

Despite her time in Mineola, Pilip makes clear she is “not a politician.” But she still wants to make a difference, has says she has done that, especially in her role establishing an antisemitism task force, and her efforts to prevent tax increases while maintaining full funding for law enforcement.

One aspect of Pilip that surfaced as soon as local Republicans announced her nomination is that she is actually a registered Democrat, and has been for more than a decade. Yet, Pilip explains her beliefs align more closely with Republican values. Still, if elected to Congress, Pilip says it is her duty to support all of her constituents.

“What we’ve forgotten in this country is the respect for each other,” she said. “We lost the basic communication. We need to lead by example. We need to know how to solve problems. And even if we don’t agree, that’s fine.”

Pilip also completely backs Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, particularly as her husband is from Ukraine. That support, she adds, she could come both financially and militarily.

As for abortion and gun control, Pilip says personally she is against abortions, but not at the same level as some other Republicans on Capitol Hill.

“I want to emphasize that I will not force my own beliefs on any woman,” she said. “Therefore, I will not support any national abortion ban.”

On gun control, Pilip supports pro-gun interpretations of the Second Amendment, but makes clear the need for responsible regulations.

Pilip is, of course, an unwavering supporter of Israel, where her three sisters and parents still live. It’s America’s responsibility to support its closest ally in the Middle East, she adds, and intends to work tirelessly to ensure her former home has everything it needs to win its war against the Hamas terrorist organization.

“It’s a serious issue, and the United States of America has to support this,” Pilip said. “This is our ally. Israel shares the same values that we share. And it’s in our national interest to continue to support them.”