It's over before it even started…
Former Republican New York Congressman George Santos has suspended his independent campaign less than two months later. (RELATED: George Santos Now Running For Congress As ‘Ultra MAGA Independent')
Santos was running to unseat Republican Rep. Nick LaLota who represents New York's 1st Congressional District after being expelled last year.
“I have decided to withdraw from my independent run for NY-1,” Santos announced via social media on Tuesday. “I don't want my run to be portrayed as a reprisal against Nick Lalota”
“Although Nick and I don't have the same voting record and I remain critical of his abysmal record, I don't want to split the ticket and be responsible for handing the house to Dems,” Santos continued, citing r. “It is clear that with the rise of antisemitism in our country we cannot afford to hand the house to Dems as they have a very large issue with antisemitism in their ranks.”
Santos launched his independent campaign for NY-1 in March, despite having previously represented a different New York district.
Last December, the House of Representatives voted 311-114-2 to expel the Santos with 105 Republicans joining almost all Democrats. (RELATED: House Votes To Expel George Santos)
A scathing House Ethics report said there was clear evidence Santos committed serious crimes and said the New York Republican “blatantly stole from his campaign” and “deceived donors into providing what they thought were contributions to his campaign but were in fact payments for his personal benefit.”
His campaign committee reported zero expenditures and zero fundraising income in a filing to the Federal Elections Commission.
“The future holds countless possibilities and I am ready willing and able to step up to the plate and go fight for my country at anytime,” Santos said on Tuesday. “I will continue to participate in the public policy discussions and will do my part.”
He concluded, “I will always strive to stand on the right side of history. It's only goodbye for now, I'll be back.”
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