In a strong bipartisan vote, the House of Representatives has removed New York Republican Rep. George Santos from his post due to federal indictment charges. The expulsion has raised concerns and sparked discussions about the future of New York’s 3rd Congressional District.
Following the vote, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a special election, leading to some confusion and speculation. Initially, it appeared that Hochul would personally choose a replacement, but she later clarified that she would schedule a special election, stating that the people of Long Island and Queens deserve nothing less.
Joe Burns, a New York Republican Election Attorney, explained that the approximate date for the special election would be early next year, as the date should be within 70 to 80 days from the governor’s proclamation. Burns also highlighted the unique nomination process for the special election, where nominations are made according to the rules of four recognized parties: Democrat, Republican, Conservative, and Working Families.
While independent candidates have the option to run, it is unlikely that they would successfully gather the necessary petition signatures to be on the ballot for a special election. The time constraints make it imperative for the parties to make their choices promptly.
Expelling a member of Congress requires a two-thirds majority vote, and this is only the second time in over two decades that such an action has been taken. The last expulsion occurred in 2002 when former Rep. Jim Traficant, D-Ohio, was voted out of Congress after being convicted of multiple felony counts.
It is important to note that Santos has not yet been convicted of any crimes, but he has been indicted on 23 counts related to wire fraud, identity theft, falsification of records, credit card fraud, and other charges. Santos has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
The vote on Santos’s expulsion was strongly bipartisan, with slightly more Republicans voting to keep him than to oust him. Santos, who defeated Democrat Robert Zimmerman in the 2022 election, now faces a challenging legal battle while the 3rd Congressional District awaits a special election to fill the vacancy.
The expulsion of a sitting congressman is a significant event that raises questions about the integrity of elected officials and the consequences of their actions. As the legal proceedings continue, the political landscape in New York’s 3rd District will undoubtedly undergo further changes.
Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.
Jamie Joseph is a writer covering politics and leads the Digital coverage of the Senate. Stay tuned for the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content.
