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'I will NOT resign': George Santos defiant as Long Island GOP leaders call for him to step down
By
David Cruz
Published Jan 11, 2023
Modified Jan 11, 2023
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MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
By
David Cruz
Published Jan 11, 2023
Modified Jan 11, 2023
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Rep. George Santos is not bowing to pressure to resign after Republican Party leaders on Long Island called on him to step down after revelations that he fabricated his background.
Santos, a Republican who represents the 3rd Congressional District covering the North Shore of Long Island and a portion of Queens, tweeted that he was "elected to serve the people of #NY03 not the party & politicians."
"I remain committed to doing that and regret to hear that local officials refuse to work with my office to deliver results to keep our community safe and lower the cost of living," he wrote, adding "I will NOT resign!"
Santos' tweet came shortly after Long Island officials held a press conference calling for his resignation.
"George Santos' campaign last year was a campaign of deceit, lies and fabrication. He deceived the voters of the 3rd Congressional District, he deceived the members of the Nassau County Republican Committee, elected officials, his colleagues, candidates, his opponents and even some of the media," Joseph G. Cairo Jr., the chair of the Nassau County Republican Party, said at the news conference. "His fabrications went too far."
George Santos' campaign last year was a campaign of deceit, lies and fabrication. He deceived the voters of the 3rd Congressional District, he deceived the members of the Nassau County Republican Committee, elected officials, his colleagues, candidates, his opponents and even some of the media.
Joseph G. Cairo Jr., chair of the Nassau County Republican Party
He added that Santos has no place in the party.
"He's not welcome here at Republican headquarters for meetings or at any other public events," Cairo said.
Shortly after the news conference, New York State Republican Party Chair Nick Langworthy — who won a term in Congress — released a statement also calling for Santos to resign.
"It's clear he cannot be an effective representative and it would be in the best interest of the taxpayers to have new leadership," Langworthy wrote.
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David Cruz
David is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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