George Santos Seeks LaLota's Congressional Seat; Will Primary In June

WASHINGTON, DC — George Santos made a surprise appearance at Thursday night's State of the Union address. But that wasn't the biggest news made by the expelled congressman.

Santos announced another run for Congress, this time representing the 1st District, where he plans to primary Republican incumbent Rep. Nick LaLota in June.

"After a lot of prayer and conversation with my friends and family, I have made a very important decision that will shake things up," Santos wrote on X. "Tonight, I want to announce that I will be returning to the arena of politics and challenging Nick for the battle over #NY1. I look forward to debating him on the issues and on his weak record as a Republican."

Santos begins the new campaign as his legal troubles are on the horizon.

He was charged with more than 20 counts including conspiracy, wire fraud, false statements, falsification of records and credit card fraud. Santos has pleaded not guilty.

A tentative trial date in federal court in Central Islip is slated for September, or two months before a potential general election for Santos. But he would have to defeat LaLota first.

"To raise the standard in Congress, and to hold a pathological liar who stole an election accountable, I led the charge to expel George Santos," he wrote on X. "If finishing the job requires beating him in a primary, count me in."

One of the 1st District challengers on the Democratic side is Nancy Goroff, a scientist, teacher and community leader from Suffolk County.

"This would be funny if it weren’t so serious to see George Santos and Nick LaLota fight to see who is more extreme," she said in a statement. "The reality is that both oppose a woman’s right to choose, have failed to lower costs for families, and care more about publicity than getting things done for Long Island families. Not to mention that neither actually lives in the district."

Goroff lost to former congressman Lee Zeldin in 2020.

Another Democrat in the 1st District primary is John Avlon, who said on X: "Bring it on."

Santos' filing on March 7 with the Federal Election Commission shows his address as Alpharetta, Georgia.

To raise the standard in Congress, and to hold a pathological liar who stole an election accountable, I led the charge to expel George Santos.

If finishing the job requires beating him in a primary, count me in. 🫡🇺🇸https://t.co/wuFU1Gcjq4
— Nick LaLota(@nicklalota) March 8, 2024

Looks like the circus just came to NY-01. George Santos filed to primary Nick LaLota.

Whatever the result - serial liar or Trump flunky - my response is the same:

Bring It On.

Indicted Serial Liar George Santos Announces New Run for Congress During State of the Union…
— John Avlon (@JohnAvlon) March 8, 2024