Expelled GOP Congressman George Santos announced he will leave the Republican Party to seek a House seat as an independent candidate. “After today’s embarrassing showing in the house I have reflected and decided that I can no longer be part of the Republican Party‚” Santos said. “The Republican Party continues to lie and swindle its voter base. I in good conscience cannot affiliate myself with a party that stands for nothing and falls for everything. I am officially suspending my petitioning in #NY01 to access the ballot as a Republican and will be filling to run as an independent‚” he continued. “I will take my Ultra MAGA/Trump supporting values to the ballot in November as an Independent‚” he added. Announcement After today’s embarrassing showing in the house I have reflected and decided that I can no longer be part of the Republican Party… The Republican Party continues to lie and swindle its voter base. I in good conscience cannot affiliate myself with a party that… — George Santos (@MrSantosNY) March 22‚ 2024 The announcement from Santos follows the GOP-led House passing a $1.2 trillion spending package. The House Just Passed a Ridiculous $1.2 Trillion Spending Bill — Here’s The Full List of Republicans Who Betrayed You NBC News reports: Santos was previously elected and sworn in to serve in New York's 3rd District‚ but he was expelled in December amid federal criminal charges. Santos was first charged in May with 13 counts including wire fraud and money laundering. In October‚ Santos was hit with a 23-count superseding indictment. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Before his expulsion‚ a 56-page House Ethics Committee report concluded that there was “substantial evidence” that Santos “violated federal criminal laws‚” including using campaign funds for personal purposes and filing false campaign reports. In a letter to his House colleagues before the vote‚ Rep. Max Miller‚ R-Ohio‚ claimed Santos personally defrauded him and his mother. In a February special election‚ Democrat Tom Suozzi defeated Republican Mazi Pilip to succeed Santos in the Long Island district. Earlier this month‚ Santos announced he would run as a Republican in New York's 1st District‚ where he would face GOP Rep. Nick LaLota‚ one of the Republicans who voted to expel Santos‚ in a primary. "ALL the Republican Party wants to do is lose and beg for money to keep losing! I’m Done‚" Santos commented. ALL the Republican Party wants to do is lose and beg for money to keep losing! I’m Done. — George Santos (@MrSantosNY) March 22‚ 2024 Former Rep. George Santos said he's leaving the Republican Party and running as an independent this fall in the New York House race.https://t.co/iLIgKoiBap pic.twitter.com/0jjsL0XoRm — NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) March 23‚ 2024 From CNN: LaLota‚ an outspoken critic of Santos‚ responded to the challenge by touting his effort to kick out his former colleague and “hold a pathological liar who stole an election accountable.” “If finishing the job requires beating him in a primary‚ count me in‚” LaLota said on March 7. Santos has pleaded not guilty to 23 federal charges‚ including allegations of fraud related to Covid-19 unemployment benefits‚ misusing campaign funds and lying about his personal finances on House disclosure reports. For Santos to run as an independent in November‚ he’ll need to file an independent nominating petition with the signatures of 3‚500 voters in New York’s 1st District to the Suffolk County Board of Elections by May 28.