Former U.S. Rep. George Santos ends run for Congress

NEW YORK (PIX11) – Former U.S. Rep. George Santos announced Tuesday he is ending his run for Congress in New York’s 1st Congressional District.

Santos was challenging incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota in the 1st District in eastern Long Island.

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“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 said in an announcement on X.

Santos previously represented New York’s 3rd Congressional District. He was expelled from Congress in December after a House ethics report found evidence of lawbreaking. He currently faces federal fraud charges.

“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.”

Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than five years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here.

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