Former New York Rep. George Santos announced Friday that he will leave the Republican Party and run as an independent to return to Congress after being ousted for federal fraud. Santos slammed Friday's GOP-controlled House vote to pass a $1.2 trillion spending deal on social media.
According to Santos on Twitter, “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 GOP lies and deceives its voters. I cannot support a party that stands for nothing and falls for everything.”
Santos decided earlier this month to challenge GOP Rep. Nick LaLota in the GOP primary in an eastern Long Island district he did not represent before being expelled. Former CNN anchor John Avlon is a Democratic contender.
After a damning House Ethics Committee report found “overwhelming evidence” of lawbreaking by Santos, he became the sixth House member expelled in history in December.
Santos has denied lying to Congress about his wealth, getting undeserved unemployment benefits, and using campaign money to buy luxury clothes. A court has provisionally set the trial for September after the primary.
New York Republicans, who condemned Santos when he declared his candidacy, criticized him again Friday for lying about his professional experience and academic qualifications.
“George Santos' expulsion from Congress was good for the nation and his resignation from the Republican Party is good for commonsense conservatives,” LaLota stated. Santos can watch me defend this crucial swing district and the November election results from prison while he's being held accountable for stealing an election and ripping off donors. Suffolk County GOP chair Jesse Garcia said.
Garcia remarked in a phone interview, “This is nothing more than the continuation of George Santos’ need for celebrity status.” "There is no appetite among First District, Long Island, or national voters for the Santos clown car show to continue."
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