Poll shows many call for Santos to resign
ALBANY — An overwhelming majority of New York’s registered voters, including Republicans and Conservatives, believe U.S. Rep. George Santos should resign, according to a Siena College poll.
Santos, a Long Island Republican, is facing investigations after he made numerous false statements about his professional and personal biography. His fabrications that were uncovered by The New York Times and other news outlets include questionable campaign finance filings.
A majority of registered Republicans, 58 percent, and 63 percent of those who identify as politically conservative said they believe Santos should resign, according to the poll released Monday morning, which was conducted between Feb. 19 and 23.
The views for Santos’ resignation were also held by registered voters across regions — upstate, in the suburbs and in New York City.
Prior to the release of the poll, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, chair of the House Republican Conference, deflected last week against questions on whether Santos should resign.
When asked about the recent polling in Santos’ 3rd Congressional District that show his constituents want him to resign, Stefanik said: “I’m glad you talked about polling because the polling of the media is at an historic low.”
She decried some of the outlets present for Friday’s news conference, some of which were not formally invited to her media event in Rensselaer County announcing the opening of a new constituent services office.
“I have no news to make on this issue,” Stefanik said. “I just hope you look at the polling and the lack of support for the media’s honesty.”
Stefanik said it’s up to voters on Election Day to choose their elected officials. She supports the Republican nominee, Santos, but is letting the ongoing investigations play out.
“Look, I know the press wants to choose who it elects and I know the press wants to support Democrats, but in this case, the people made that decision,” said Stefanik, directing reporters to look at the statements of President Joe Biden and the actions of his son, Hunter Biden.
A number of Republicans in New York, including those serving with Santos on Long Island, have said he should resign. Former state GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy, now a first-term member in Congress out of the Southern Tier and western New York, also said Santos should resign.
At a new conference last month, Nassau County GOP Party Chairman Joseph G. Cairo Jr. joined the calls for Santos to step down.
“He’s disgraced the House of Representatives, and we do not consider him one of our congresspeople,” Cairo said.