George Santos’ bid for return to Congress flops as he raises $0, ends campaign

George Santos, the disgraced former Republican congressman from New York, has officially ended his campaign for a return to the House.

Mr. Santos’ decision comes against a backdrop of significant challenges, including a reported lack of campaign funds. According to filings with the Federal Election Commission, the Santos campaign has not raised any funds or reported any expenditures, raising questions about the viability of his political comeback.

But Mr. Santos claimed he dropped out for another reason, saying he no longer wants to run as an independent.

“I don’t want to split the ticket and be responsible for handing the house to Dems,” he said. “It’s only goodbye for now, I’ll be back.”

His political career was marred by scandal. Mr. Santos was expelled from the House in December, making him only the sixth member in the institution’s history to face such a fate.

His brief period in office for New York’s 3rd District was plagued by controversies, notably the falsified details of his biography. Among the disputed claims were his religious background and his professional and educational history.

He has pleaded not guilty to 23 fraud-related charges, including identity theft and misappropriation of donor funds, brought against him in October. The allegations have added to the cloud of controversy surrounding his political career. Mr. Santos’ future involvement in politics remains uncertain as he awaits trial.

Despite the scandals, Mr. Santos expressed intentions to run again, eyeing New York’s 1st Congressional District. He announced plans during President Biden’s State of the Union address this year but later declared he would run as an independent, distancing himself from the Republican Party.

Meanwhile, as of the end of March, the campaign for Nick Lalota, another Republican candidate for the district, reported hauling in $1.5 million in contributions, highlighting the competitive nature of the race and the financial hurdles Mr. Santos faced.