In a surprising turn of events, former New York Representative George Santos announced on Friday his departure from the Republican Party. Santos, who is currently facing multiple federal charges and was expelled from the House last year, will continue his bid for a congressional comeback as an independent candidate.
In a strongly worded social media post, Santos criticized the GOP and declared his commitment to bring “Ultra MAGA/Trump supporting values” to the November ballot as an independent. “I in good conscience cannot affiliate myself with a party that stands for nothing and falls for everything,” he wrote.
Santos has officially suspended his petition to access the ballot as a Republican in New York’s 1st Congressional District and will instead file to run as an independent. Santos previously represented the 3rd Congressional District of New York on Long Island.
Earlier this month, during President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, Santos announced his intention to challenge Republican Rep. Nick LaLota in the neighboring 1st District. LaLota, who introduced a resolution to expel Santos last fall, responded to the challenge by emphasizing his efforts to hold Santos, whom he described as a “pathological liar who stole an election,” accountable.
“If finishing the job requires beating him in a primary, count me in,” LaLota stated on March 7.
Santos has pleaded not guilty to 23 federal charges, which include allegations of fraud related to Covid-19 unemployment benefits, misuse of campaign funds, and false statements about his personal finances on House disclosure reports.
For Santos to run as an independent in November, he must file an independent nominating petition with the signatures of at least 3,500 voters in New York’s 1st District to the Suffolk County Board of Elections by May 28.
Contributors to this report include CNN’s Molly English, Haley Talbot, David Wright, and Simone Pathe.