Ousted former Rep. George Santos (R-NY) announced during President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Thursday night that he will be running for Congress after declaring that he would not seek reelection.
Santos showed up to the State of the Union address, surprising his former colleagues. Little did anyone know that while he was sitting in attendance listening to the president, he would be writing on social media about returning to Congress.
“Tonight, I want to announce that I will be returning to the arena of politics and challenging Nick for the battle over #NY1,” he wrote on X while listening to Biden’s speech. “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.”
Tonight, I came to the SOTU with an open mind and heart because I believe in the great idea that is the United States of America.
I just witnessed a weak, frail president deliver spin and lies to the American people from inside the chambers. I have made several personal…
— George Santos (@MrSantosNY) March 8, 2024
Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY) wasted no time responding to Santos’ challenge. He also posted on X, writing, “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.”
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. 🫡🇺🇸https://t.co/wuFU1Gcjq4
— Nick LaLota 🗽💪🇺🇸🫡 (@nicklalota) March 8, 2024
Santos was first elected to the House in 2022 after a failed attempt in 2020 and served less than a year after being ousted without due process by his fellow Republicans, including his opponent, LaLota, by a vote of 311-114. He represented New York’s third congressional district.
This time, Santos will not be running for his previous district.
Last December, he faced several charges after a House ethics committee found “substantial evidence” that the congressman committed fraud.
Santos pleaded not guilty to 23 federal charges of wire fraud, false statements, falsifying records, identity theft and access device fraud, being accused of participating in a credit card scheme that repeatedly charged the accounts of campaign contributors.
Not only did Santos allegedly commit fraud, but he also lied on his resume about his education and employment history. At one point, he also lied about his ethnicity. Santos was also accused of harassing an aide, but he denied those claims.
