George Santos signals that he'll run for re-election despite cloud of scandal and possible criminal charges
- An FEC filing from Rep. George Santos signals he may run for re-election in 2024.
- The New York Republican has faced calls from within his own party to resign.
Embattled Republican Rep. George Santos on Tuesday formally opened the door to running for re-election, signaling that calls from within his party to resign and the continuing cloud of scandals may not be enough for him to step aside.
Santos filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission that designated his primary campaign account for the 2024 cycle, a formality that, as the New York Times pointed out, will allow him to continue to raise and spend money.
While the paperwork is not binding, Santos' actions are being closely watched, especially since multiple members of his own party have called for him to resign.
The freshman Republican's name has faded from the front page, but he continues to be in the news. Last week, Politico reported that a former roommate gave a sworn statement to federal prosecutors accusing Santos of orchestrating a credit card skimming ring in Seattle in 2017.
Inside the House, a group of New York Republicans who previously called on him to resign introduced legislation that would ban House lawmakers from profiting off biographies or movie deals if they are convicted of certain financial or election-related crimes. The legislation would affect politicians beyond Santos, but the changes are clearly aimed at the freshman's own future.
A representative for Santos did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Santos previously stepped down from his committee assignments after acknowledging that doing one of a member's most important duties could become a distraction for his colleagues.
In an interview with Piers Morgan, Santos said he's been "a terrible liar" in some cases. He added that his lies, which included making up jobs on his resume, were not about "tricking the people."
Santos represents a competitive New York seat, giving House Speaker Kevin McCarthy more reasons to keep him around to preserve the GOP's slim five-seat majority.
But by the same token, the GOP would likely be motivated to find a candidate with far less baggage to defend the seat in 2024, potentially setting up a primary clash.