I Knew George Santos Would Run For Congress Again

Two weeks before being expelled from Congress, I wrote the following about George Santos:

Shortly after the release of the House Ethics Committee Report, New York Republican Congressman George Santos announced he will not seek re-election. 

However, given his propensity for lying, I am not inclined to believe Santos.

From there, I concluded:

We should not be shocked if (and probably when) George Santos announces he will run for re-election after all. 

Well, lo and behold:

Former GOP Rep. George Santos, who was expelled from the House last year and is facing federal charges, announced Thursday night that he’s running for Congress again — this time to challenge a Republican congressman in New York.

“Tonight, I want to announce that I will be returning to the arena of politics and challenging Nick for the battle over #NY1,” Santos wrote on X, referring to GOP Rep. Nick LaLota. “I look forward to debating him on the issues and on his weak record as a Republican. The fight for our majority is imperative for the survival of the country.”

The former congressman, who had represented New York’s 3rd District, made his announcement during President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address Thursday — during which he was spotted at the US Capitol. 

If not for the train wreck of a SOTU response given by Alabama Republican Senator Katie Britt, this would be much bigger news. 

The fact that Santos would show his face on the floor of Congress just over three months after being expelled to announce a political comeback is both brazen and entirely in character. The question is will he be successful.

There's certainly a chance. After all, these are Republican voters we are talking about. If Republicans en masse are prepared to cast their lot with a man facing 91 state and federal felony counts, then why wouldn't Republicans in New York's 1st Congressional District cast their lot with Santos who has a mere 25 indictments against his name?

Now let us suppose that Santos not only wins the GOP nomination in New York's 1st District but wins the seat. Would he be sworn in? Or would he be expelled yet again? Democrats are expected to regain the House, but it depends on the margin of victory. If Democrats have a narrow majority, I wouldn't put it past Republican to hedge their bets and keep Santos in Congress. 

If New York voters are prepared to return George Santos to Congress and American voters at large are prepared to return Donald Trump to the White House, then we are the problem and will deserves whatever fate befalls us.