Jody Kass Finkel, of Great Neck, New York, is founder and coordinator of Concerned Citizens of NY-03, a nonpartisan, grassroots, ad hoc citizens group. Susan Wagner, formerly of Great Neck and now of Manhattan, is the former Nassau County deputy comptroller.
Rep. Elise Stefanik may claim to care about election integrity, but her actions in connection with George Santos belie her words.
Stefanik had a large hand in Santos’ election, supporting his candidacy even after an early vulnerability study revealed his many lies involving his education, employment and heritage. But New York’s Upstate Republican members of Congress can force her hand and force Santos out — that is, if these House members stand behind their public statements of outrage.
Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19), from Tompkins, Ulster, and Otsego counties, said Santos’s dishonesty is disturbing and has eroded his ability to serve his constituents. He also said he would vote to expel Santos. Noting Santos’s lies and the havoc Santos has caused both in his district and in Washington, Molinaro has reiterated his call to expel Santos on multiple occasions.
Similarly, Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17), who represents Rockland County and the lower Hudson Valley, said he is embarrassed by Santos’s conduct, which he described as a distraction for the GOP. He called on Santos to resign. (FEC reports show that Lawler held onto the $2,900 donated to his campaign by Santos, which he should return immediately, if he has not already done so.)
Joining his Upstate colleagues, Rep. Brandon Williams (NY-22) from Central New York has publicly expressed his distrust of Santos. Williams said Santos was unfit to serve after deceiving voters.
If their talk isn’t cheap, Williams, Molinaro and Lawler should be leaning hard on Stefanik to push Santos out.
Every day that Santos remains in office, we, the residents of NY-03, are denied meaningful representation in Congress. Since no one trusts Santos, no one will work with him. Outraged…
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