New York Republicans are pushing back against Democratic attempts to link them to embattled Rep. George Santos (R-NY), saying Democrats are using him as a political tool ahead of the 2024 election.
Shortly after winning his race in the 2022 midterm elections, reports revealed Santos had fabricated his employment and educational history on his resume. Since then, Santos has become embroiled in several state and federal investigations relating to his family, finances, and personal life, with the House Ethics Committee recently launching an investigation.
DEMOCRATS LINK VULNERABLE NEW YORK REPUBLICANS TO GEORGE SANTOS IN BID TO RECLAIM SEATS
The junior representative's scandals served as a calling card for Democrats to begin a fresh effort to reclaim seats in New York flipped by Republicans in November. Part of their strategy is launching campaign ads against freshman Reps. Nick LaLota, Anthony D’Esposito, Mike Lawler, Marc Molinaro, and Brandon Williams for taking financial contributions from Santos.
Since Santos's fabrications were revealed, multiple Republicans have attempted to distance themselves from Santos and now believe Democrats are using him as a "bludgeoning tool" for political gain.
“He is a bludgeoning tool the Democrats are using without regard for truth. They’re lying about us in relationship to him,” Molinaro said in an interview with Politico. “And he’s caused us every day to have to respond to his very existence in the House of Representatives, instead of giving 100% of our time to the important issues that Americans and the people who sent us to Washington care about.”
The representatives have publicly denounced Santos, and D'Esposito launched a legislative measure to block representatives from profiting off campaign lies — a move clearly targeting Santos. Still, New York GOP members are frustrated at how many questions about Santos they receive on a daily basis.
“Every time that we’re having a conversation, we seem to be talking about George Santos,” D’Esposito said.
Santos has dismissed concerns from his fellow state Republicans, saying that his misgivings have no impact on their careers.
“I don’t believe it. I think that’s just platitudes. And they’re making stuff up as they go just to find excuses to do what they’re doing,” Santos told Politico. “The reality is simple: I was never a part of the little boys’ club, and they hated me from the moment I got the nomination to the moment I got elected.”
Santos pushed himself away from New York Republicans even further after blasting D'Esposito for incidents that occurred during his time at the New York Police Department.
"Anthony risked everything to serve the people of New York with honor and courage. He has more integrity in his pinky than George Santos has in his entire body,” Williams said. “George disgraces the halls of Congress and is [a] stain on the soul of our nation.”
Democrats are not finished with their agenda against Santos. Five House Democrats drafted a resolution in early February seeking to expel Santos from Congress, with several documented falsehoods listed as justification for his removal.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“This is not just a simple liar,” Rep. Daniel Goldman (D-NY) told reporters at the Capitol when announcing the measure. “This is a conman who does not belong in Congress, and he needs to go.”
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has said the scandal-ridden representative will be removed from Congress should an ethics investigation determine that he broke the law.