Politics
Like a desperate ex-boyfriend, George Santos announces he's running for Congress again
Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Didn't we tell you to lose our number?
March 08 2024 12:39 PM EST
March 08 2024 12:39 PM EST
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Didn't we tell you to lose our number?
George Santos, going back on his word, has announced he is running for Congress again.
The disgraced politician revealed during President Joe Biden's State of the Union address Thursday that he is switching districts to challenge the representative who led the effort to expel him — Republican Nick LaLota of New York's 1st Congressional District, which is on Long Island.
“Tonight, I want to announce that I will be returning to the arena of politics and challenging Nick for the battle over #NY1,” Santos wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “I look forward to debating him on the issues and on his weak record as a Republican. The fight for our majority is imperative for the survival of the country.”
He added: “New York hasn’t had a real conservative represent them since I left office arbitrarily, thanks to RINO, empty suits like @nicklalota." RINO is an acronym for "Republican in name only."
Santos, a gay Republican, became the sixth member to ever be expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives on December 1, halfway through his first term representing New York’s Third Congressional District. His expulsion followed a detailed investigation by the House Ethics Committee, which uncovered extensive evidence of alleged misconduct, including campaign finance violations and misrepresentation of his background.
Santos was accused of defrauding donors by fabricating significant parts of his resume and personal history, as well as misusing campaign funds for personal expenses — including on luxury designer goods and OnlyFans subscriptions. LaLota was the representative who introduced the resolution to expel Santos, saying that he deserved “to be in prison.”
In response to Santos' announcement, LaLota wrote: “To raise the standard in Congress, and to hold a pathological liar who stole an election accountable, I led the charge to expel George Santos. If finishing the job requires beating him in a primary, count me in."
Santos faces a multitude of charges, including 23 felony charges, to which he has pled not guilty. A trial date has been set for September 9, 2024, after the primary. He faces a maximum of 22 years in prison if convicted.