The House voted on Thursday to expel indicted GOP Rep. George Santos (NY) from Congress after a damning House ethics committee report and a 23-count federal indictment charging him with crimes, including aggravated identity theft and wire fraud.
The vote was 311-114, two lawmakers voted present. Santos is now the sixth member of the House ever to be expelled and the first in 21 years.
What comes next?
Following the vote to expel Santos, House speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) would direct the clerk to notify the governor of New York of the Santos’ ouster.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) is required by state law to call a special election within 10 days of Santos’ expulsion. That election must occur between 70 to 80 days after the governor’s proclamation. Therefore, a special election to fill the vacancy will be held in the first quarter of next year, around late February or early March. Until then New York’s third congressional district will be without a representative in Congress.
After Thursday’s vote Hochul said she is prepared to “undertake the solemn responsibility of filling the vacancy” arising from Santos’ expulsion, adding, “the people of Long Island deserve nothing less.”
Who could replace Santos?
There will be no primary elections to select the candidates in the special election, New York law says county party leaders will select their nominees.
Biden won the district in the 2020 presidential election and already several local Democrats are lining up to run for seat, including former Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) who chose to run for governor of New York in 2022 instead of seeking re-election to the seat.
Nineteen other candidates, including eight Republicans, have filed to run for Santos’ seat.
Jay Jacobs, the Democratic party chair in Nassau County told ABC News that Suozzi and Robert Zimmerman, the party’s nominee in 2022, are among those in consideration. It’s not clear who GOP leaders will chose as their nominee.
What’s next for George Santos?
Santos has said he will not seek re-election in 2024. He still remains indicted on 23 federal criminal charges including identify theft, wire fraud, credit card fraud, and falsifying records.
Santos has pleaded not guilty. His trial is scheduled to begin on Sept. 9, 2024.
