Former U.S. Representative George Santos, expelled from Congress in December and facing federal charges related to campaign donor fraud, announces his candidacy for Congress once more.
Santos, a Republican, becomes just the sixth member in history to be ousted by fellow House members. He revealed his bid to challenge Republican Rep. Nick LaLota, who represents a district on New York’s Long Island, distinct from Santos’ previous constituency.
The announcement follows Santos’ attendance at President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, where he interacted with former colleagues who contributed to his expulsion from Congress following a scathing report by the House Ethics Committee.
Despite previously stating he would not pursue elective office again, Santos disclosed on X that after prayer and discussions with friends and family, he resolved to vie for the 1st Congressional District seat on eastern Long Island, currently held by LaLota.
Santos formalized his candidacy by filing paperwork with the Federal Election Commission, establishing a campaign committee and indicating his intention to challenge LaLota in the upcoming Republican primary in June.
His renewed bid for public office, marred by admissions of false claims regarding his professional background and education during his prior campaign, elicited disapproval from Republican Party leaders in eastern Long Island.
Following Democrat Tom Suozzi’s victory in a special election to reclaim the seat Santos previously held, the political landscape in the district has shifted.
Santos maintains his innocence against charges of financial misconduct, including falsifying information about his assets, improper receipt of unemployment benefits, and misuse of campaign funds for personal expenses such as luxury clothing.
The trial for Santos has been provisionally scheduled for September, after the primary elections.
