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GOP Rep. George Santos of New York announces re-election bid

The first-term lawmaker is the subject of numerous investigations, one launched by the House Ethics Committee.
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WASHINGTON — Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., announced Monday that he is running for re-election, despite calls for him to resign and ongoing investigations at the federal, state and local levels.

"I am proudly announcing my bid for re-election for #NY03. This is about TAKING BACK our country and restoring greatness back to New York," he tweeted.

Santos has repeatedly lied about his background, both before he was elected last year and since he took office.

Santos said in a statement Monday that no one said he would win last year because people said it was a safe Democratic seat. He beat Democrat Robert Zimmerman 53.8% to 46.2%.

Rep. George Santos
Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., expresses his support for former President Donald Trump ahead of Trump's arraignment in New York criminal court on April 4.Julius Constantine Motal / NBC News

"Not only won but made history as the first openly gay Republican elected to Congress," he said.

Santos’ campaign doesn't have much money to spend on his re-election at the moment. It had just $25,000 in its account as of March 31, according to a campaign finance report filed Saturday with the Federal Election Commission. The campaign raised just $5,000 in the first three months of the year and spent $8,000 — all on refunding contributions to past donors.

Nassau County legislator Josh Lafazan, a Democrat, has launched a campaign for Santos' seat. He tweeted Monday: "I’m the Democrat who will replace Santos in Congress. ... The key to taking back the House is removing fraudster George Santos once and for all."

Santos was recently accused of being the mastermind behind a credit card skimming scheme — allegations he has vehemently denied. He has also been accused of stealing thousands of dollars raised for a lifesaving operation for a veteran’s service dog, lying that his mother was at the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks and failing to file accurate and timely financial disclosures.

In March, the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation, which it said would determine whether Santos “engaged in unlawful activity with respect to his 2022 congressional campaign; failed to properly disclose required information on statements filed with the House; violated federal conflict of interest laws in connection with his role in a firm providing fiduciary services; and/or engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual seeking employment in his congressional office.”

The FBI is also investigating allegation involving a veteran's service dog. In addition, Santos faces investigations by the New York attorney general's office and the Nassau County district attorney's office.

Santos first came under scrutiny after The New York Times published a bombshell investigation in December indicating that much of his résumé appeared to have been manufactured, including claims that he owned numerous properties, was previously employed by Goldman Sachs and Citigroup and had graduated from Baruch College.