George Santos announces independent House bid in 2024

Former New York Republican Rep. George Santos on Friday announced that he would mount an independent bid to return to the House of Representatives.

The lower chamber expelled Santos in December in the wake of a damning House Ethics Committee report. Earlier this month, he indicated he would challenge New York GOP Rep. Nick LaLota in the Republican primary for the 1st Congressional District. Santos was elected in 2022 to represent the 3rd Congressional District, which includes portions of western Long Island. The state's 1st Congressional District includes the northern half and eastern end.

"After today’s embarrassing showing in the house I have reflected and decided that I can no longer be part of the Republican Party… The Republican Party continues to lie and swindle its voter base," he posted on X. "I in good conscience cannot affiliate myself with a party that stands for nothing and falls for everything."

"I am officially suspending my petitioning in #NY01 to access the ballot as a Republican and will be filling to run as an independent… I will take my Ultra MAGA/Trump supporting values to the ballot in November as an Independent," he continued. "[Nick LaLota] and [John Avlon] ill see you boys in November!"

It remains unclear exactly what "embarrassing showing" Santos was referring to, though the lower chamber did approve a $1.2 trillion "minibus" spending package that attracted the ire of some conservatives.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.