Kellen Curry, an Afghanistan war veteran and former vice president at JPMorgan, announced on Monday that he will challenge lying Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) in New York’s 2024 primary election.
Curry is the first Republican to officially file paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to challenge Santos to represent New York’s 3rd Congressional District.
“Today marks a significant turning point in my life, for my community and our country. A few days ago, I quit the day job to take on a new mission: I’m running for Congress in New York’s 3rd Congressional District,” Curry announced in a statement on his campaign website.
“Most people often ask why are you running for public office? Why give up a comfortable life at J.P. Morgan and get into politics? The answer is simple: we deserve better,” he added.
In his press release, Curry blasted Santos for the “audacity of the lies” that he told New Yorkers in order to raise campaign money and gain the support of voters.
Santos admitted to The Post in December 2022 that he fabricated his education and work history on the campaign trail, but defiantly declared, “I am not a criminal.”
Santos also lied that his mother was Jewish and his grandparents escaped the Nazis during World War II, only to admit months after the fact that he is “clearly Catholic.”
“Several months ago, we all learned a new name: George Santos,” Curry said.
“The audacity of the lies he has told seems to move everyone to ask: how do people like George Santos get elected? I don’t know the answer either so instead I focus on the solution: how can we work together to ensure it doesn’t happen again! So, I’ve decided to step up and taken on this challenge,” he added.
Curry’s biography lists him as a graduate of the US Air Force Academy who spent eight years on active duty, including two tours of duty in Afghanistan.
After earning his MBA from George Washington University, Curry ascended to become a vice president in JPMorgan’s corporate and investment banking division.
Bloomberg News confirmed that Curry had recently resigned from his post at JPMorgan.
Among the lies told by Santos over the years, was that he was a former Wall Street banker, employed at institutions such as Goldman Sachs and Citigroup.
Santos — who’s been called on to resign by numerous fellow Republicans — is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, the Justice Department, and at the state and county level.
The 34-year-old Long Island representative has not yet said if he plans to run for reelection in 2024, however, he did file a statement of candidacy with the FEC last month, an indication that he may seek a second term.