Disgraced Former Congressman George Santos Ends Independent Bid for Re-Election amid Controversy and Legal Troubles

Disgraced former congressman George Santos has announced that he is ending his independent bid to re-enter the lawmaking body that expelled him in December. Santos, who was ousted from Congress after lying about almost every aspect of his past, committing ethical violations, and allegedly breaking federal laws, made the announcement on social media on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old MAGA Republican, who was seen as a longshot to be elected to the House of Representatives again in November, had raised no money for his campaign and planned to rely solely on volunteers. However, Santos decided to withdraw from the race, citing concerns about splitting votes and potentially handing the district to Democrats.

Santos, who faces 22 years in prison if convicted of his alleged crimes, has maintained his innocence. Despite his legal troubles, he expressed a willingness to continue fighting for his country in the future.

The Queens native’s decision to drop out of the race comes after a tumultuous period that saw him facing multiple federal charges, including wire fraud, making false statements to the Federal Election Commission, and aggravated identity theft. Santos’ alleged lies about his background, including falsely claiming to be a descendant of Holocaust survivors, have also drawn scrutiny.

As Santos exits the political stage, the focus now shifts to the upcoming election in the 1st Congressional District, where Republican incumbent Nick LaLota and Democratic nominees Nancy Goroff and John Avlon are set to compete for the seat. Santos’ abrupt departure from the race leaves a void in the political landscape, but his legacy of deception and controversy will continue to linger.