George Santos To Run As Independent
Former Rep. George Santos (R-NY) announced this week that he would be running for Congress in November as an independent. During the statement, Santos criticized the Republican Party and announced that he would be seeking a different seat than the one he was expelled from last year.
Santos’ announcement places him against incumbent Republican Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY). Santos accused LaLota of being a RINO (Republican in Name Only) this month.
“He is willing to risk the future of our majority and the future of this country for his own political gain,” Santos wrote.
Santos said that he made the decision as the House passed a $1.2 trillion spending package to avert a government shutdown. The move also caused issues within the GOP leadership as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) said that she would file a motion to vacate the position of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
🚨Announcement🚨
After today’s embarrassing showing in the house I have reflected and decided that I can no longer be part of the Republican Party…
The Republican Party continues to lie and swindle its voter base. I in good conscience cannot affiliate myself with a party that…
— George Santos (@MrSantosNY) March 22, 2024
“The Republican Party continues to lie and swindle its voter base. I in good conscience cannot affiliate myself with a party that stands for nothing and falls for everything,” wrote Santos.
He said that he would not be seeking the First District seat as a Republican, but instead as an independent.
“I will take my Ultra MAGA/Trump supporting values to the ballot in November as an Independent,” he said.
Following Santos’ expulsion, the Republican majority in the House got thinner. A Democrat won the seat he formerly held. Furthermore, several other Republican members of the House announced they would be quitting before the end of their term, further shrinking the GOP majority.
Santos is currently under investigation for campaign fraud. The House Ethics Committee released a report accusing Santos of misusing campaign donations and lying extensively before and during his time in office.
Santos faces multiple charges including wire fraud, identity theft, falsification of records, credit card fraud and more. Santos denies any wrongdoing.
The former representative gained headlines again recently by attending President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address earlier this month.
