This year’s election cycle has brought about all sorts of surprises. But no one expected this.
And Congress was hit with a major shakeup after this Republican decides to step down.
New York’s 1st Congressional District just got hit with a surprising twist.
Former New York Rep. George Santos (R) has decided to no longer run as an independent in the 2024 congressional race in that district.
Santos was formerly a representative for the 3rd District of New York, but was expelled from Congress late last year for the alleged misuse of campaign funds.
He was also originally running as a Republican in the 1st District until he decided to leave the GOP after the U.S. House passed a spending deal earlier in the year which amounted to $1.2 trillion.
But now he’s not running at all because he is afraid he’ll “split the ticket” and help the Democrats win the seat.
Santos also didn’t raise a single dollar in the month of March, according to FEC records.
“I don’t want my run to be portrayed as reprisal against Nick Lalota… Although Nick and I don’t have the same voting record and I remained critical of his abysmal record, I don’t want to split the ticket and be responsible for handing the house to Dems,” Santos said in a post on X.
“Staying in this race all but guarantees a victory for the Dems in the race…”
The former GOP Rep. did hint that he’d be back in politics at some point or another.
“It’s only goodbye, for now, I’ll be back,” his X post concluded.
🚨Announcement!
I have decided to withdraw from my independent run for #NY1…
I don’t want my run to be portrayed as 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…
— George Santos (@MrSantosNY) April 23, 2024
U.S. House Republicans only boast a 4-seat majority of 217-213 over the Democrats right now.
Rep. LaLota, who Santos was running against, is running for reelection this year, but his seat is certainly in danger of being lost.
One New York Republican doesn’t seem all too concerned that Santos has decided to bow out of the race.
“That’s short for: I’m taking a plea,” the Republican quipped to the Washington Examiner in regards to Santos’ withdrawal.
As mentioned before though, despite the controversy surrounding him, Santos seems ready to run again in the future.
“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,” George Santos announced.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
