Former New York Rep. George Santos is saying goodbye to national politics “for now” after announcing on Tuesday he will withdraw his 2024 independent bid for New York’s 1st Congressional District.
Santos, a former representative of New York‘s 3rd District, said his decision to bow out of the race was because he does not want to “split the ticket” and assist Democrats in regaining the House majority. The former congressman had previously suspended his petition to run as a Republican in the 1st District GOP primary after announcing he would leave the “embarrassing” Republican Party after the House passed a $1.2 trillion spending deal earlier this year.
Now, he’s out of the race altogether after raising $0 in March, according to a recent FEC filing.
“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 ticket and be responsible for handing the house to Dems,” Santos posted on X.
“Staying in this race all but guarantees a victory for the Dems in the race…” he added.
Santos was ousted last year from Congress in part due to the release of a scathing Ethics Committee report that found “substantial evidence” that Santos knowingly filed false or incomplete reports to the Federal Election Commission, used campaign funds for personal purposes, and “engaged in knowing and willful violations” in relation to the Ethics in Government Act. New York Republicans like Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY) vocally supported efforts to oust Santos, as well.
House Republicans hold a razor-thin majority of 217-213 after several early retirements this year. LaLota, a vulnerable House GOP member, is running for reelection with Democrat John Avlon leading to represent his party in the primary in June.
Other Republicans are reacting to the news that Santos is suspending his campaign.
“That’s short for: I’m taking a plea,” a New York Republican said to the Washington Examiner.
Despite Tuesday’s announcement, Santos indicated he may return to the national political scene one day.
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“I have meet with leaders and with constituents and I have made the decision to hang it up here and stop perusing this race, THIS YEAR! 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. “I will continue to participate in the public policy discussion and will do my part.”
“I will always strive to stand on the right side of history. It’s only goodbye for now, I’ll be back,” the former congressman added.