Rep. George Santos (RN.Y.) confirmed he is running for another term despite facing multiple investigations and losing the support of republicans in his district after it was revealed that he lied extensively about his background.
“I am proudly announcing my candidacy for re-election for NY-03”, Santos said Monday in a statement after filing paperwork to seek another two-year term in 2024.
“With the left pushing radical agendas, the economy struggling, and Washington unable to solve anything, we need a fighter who knows the district and can serve the people without fear, and independent of local or national party influence.” Santos said.
Santos, who has shaped multiple aspects of his career and background, is trying to maintain his position amid local, federal and international investigations into what he misrepresented or fabricated. Members of both parties have called on Santos to resign.
It will be far from a crowning glory for the Republican nomination. Santos lost the support of Republicans in Queens and Long Island after it emerged he lied during his 2020 campaign. Santos, who is also under investigation for alleged campaign finance violations, will also face significant fundraising hurdles in what it will certainly be a competitive race.
The Democrat who previously held Santos’s seat, Tom Suozzi, is eyeing a possible comeback. But after congressional redistricting, Suozzi’s old seat no longer exists. Santos flipped a newly raffled seat that had been reassigned to be more Republican-friendly, meaning there will be an intense fight on the right for the nomination. Earlier this month, Kellen Curry, veteran and banker, became the first republican launch a campaign challenging Santos.
Santos was initially praised for being the first openly gay Republican elected to the United States House of Representatives. Yet even before he was sworn in, an explosive report called into question much of how Santos presented himself to voters, including claims about working for Goldman Sachs, that his family was Holocaust survivors, his starring role on a volleyball team college and being a Broadway Producer.
Santos voluntarily resigned from his committee assignments while under investigation.