Former Rep. George Santos Announces Re-Election Bid as Independent, Criticizes GOP

Reputation-sweeping former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), who was ousted from the House last year for allegedly stealing money from Republican colleagues, thinks he's too good for the GOP and will run for re-election next year as a "super great/Trump supporter" independent.

"After today's embarrassing performance in the House, I have reflected and decided that I can no longer be a member of the Republican Party," Santos wrote on X on Friday. He may have been referring to Congress' passage of a spending bill to prevent a federal government shutdown. In order for the bill to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by President Joe Biden, many irrelevant conservative provisions were removed from the spending bill. Over 40 anti-LGBTQ+ provisions were removed.

Related:Congressman Slams George Santos for Complaining About Expulsion in Just Five Words. Santos called his former colleagues "fucking idiots" in a group chat. They don't seem that bothered.

"The Republican Party continues to lie and deceive its voter base," Santos wrote. He faces 33 federal criminal charges related to a variety of alleged self-serving schemes. "In good conscience, I cannot join a party that stands for nothing and is corrupt in everything."

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"I am officially suspending my petition to get on the ballot as a Republican in (New York's 1st Congressional District) and will be running as an Independent ...... I will be on the ballot in November as an Independent in support of my Super Great/Trump Values".

The House voted to oust Santos last December, months after his entire life story was exposed as false and he was linked to numerous alleged fraudulent schemes. A report by the House Ethics Committee also found strong evidence that he was stealing campaign funds. Other Republican members of Congress have accused him of stealing money from their bank accounts through credit card theft.

Earlier this month, he announced his re-election bid for New York's 1st Congressional District, which pits him in the Republican primary against Republican Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY), who led the effort to oust Santos. He previously represented the state's 3rd Congressional District.