Representative George Santos, the New York Republican facing federal criminal charges, reported raising about $150,000 for his re-election campaign from April to June — a modest amount that is typical. he used to pay the money he loaned in his previous congressional bids.
The contributions came from nearly 50 donors, only four of whom reported living within Mr. Santos’s Queens and Long Island districts, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission on Friday. A plurality of donors said they live in California, and reached for comment, others said they supported the congressman as a gag.
Mr. Santos previously reported giving his own campaign more than $700,000 in personal loans, money that has been the subject of intense scrutiny because of his own irregular financial history. On May 30, his campaign paid Mr. Santos for $85,000.
The fundraising numbers, the first since he officially began his re-election bid, were extremely weak for a candidate in a competitive swing district. They underscore the steep political road ahead of him as Democrats and leaders in his own party try to unseat him next year.
One of the Democratic candidates for his seat, Zak Malamed, announced that he had raised $417,000 in just the first six weeks of his campaign, nearly three times Mr. Trump’s total. saint Kellen Curry, a Republican primary challenger, said he raised more than $200,000.
Mr. Santos’ totals fell short of those raised by other frontline Republicans in New York, who are preparing for some of the most closely contested races in the country next year.
The filings show that Representative Mike Lawler, a Republican who narrowly won a Hudson Valley seat by defeating Sean Patrick Maloney, the powerful head of the House Democrats’ campaign arm, raised just over $900,000. during the three months, most of them from PACs. The number made him one of the most successful freshman fund-raisers in the country, and left his campaign with $1.5 million in cash.
Other first-term Republicans in New York and New Jersey swing districts – including Representatives Marcus Molinaro, Anthony D’Esposito, Brandon Williams and Tom Kean Jr. – had not yet reported their totals as of Friday afternoon. Neither did Representative Pat Ryan, a Hudson Valley Democrat whom Republicans hope to unseat.
Stockpiling cash could prove unusually important for Republican incumbents this year when New York is forced to redraw congressional districts. A midlevel appeals court on Thursday ordered a redraw that would make some seats virtually unwinnable for Republican incumbents. The case will finally be decided later this year in New York’s high court.
Mr. Santos declared his intention to run for re-election in April, although local Republican officials and party committees said they would not support him. The following month, he was charged with 13 felony counts, including wire fraud, money laundering and theft of public funds.
He pleaded not guilty, but the case further reduced his support from the House Republican leadership. Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California said Mr. Santos should not run, telling Fox News last month “we’re going to hold that seat to another Republican.”
Mr. Santos’ campaign reported receiving $133,078.85 in the second quarter of 2023, while an affiliated committee, Devolder Santos Victory Committee, received $16,600 from two donors. The fundraising totals were an improvement over what Mr. Santos took in the first quarter, when his campaign brought in just $5,300 and spent thousands more than that refunding donors who contribution.
The recent contributions come from an unorthodox mix of donors who are almost certain to be scrutinized by federal prosecutors and the House Ethics Committee.
They included a part-time cashier from Georgia, students from Pennsylvania and California, a masseuse from Texas and a member of a stage crew from New York, all of whom contributed at least $3,300 each. . Few appear to have a history of donating large sums to politicians.
The Times reached out to more than 40 donors listed in Mr. saint Many have Chinese or other Asian surnames. At least two said they were motivated to contribute the legal maximum amount based on his pledges — in fundraising appeals on Twitter and speeches on the House floor — to fight back. of the Communist Party of China.
“I see that he wants to get rid of the CCP,” said Xuehong Zhang of Plano, Tex., who identified himself as a Chinese immigrant and massage therapist. “I just want to bring down the CCP”
Mr. Santos repeatedly took part in the fundraising appeal in his opposition to the Chinese Communist Party, as well as his support for Guo Wengui, the exiled and accused Chinese billionaire who found Steve Bannon an ally. .
Michael Sommer, a 29-year-old teacher in Atlanta, said he spent $32.95 on a Saints for Congress T-shirt “for a joke.’
“I donated $1 because I thought it was ridiculous to ask for a refund,” said another contributor, Brad Mason of Pittsburgh. “And it’s amazing to me,.”
Others said they found Mr. Santos’ conservative voting record attractive, and were motivated to support him by what they considered hypocritical attacks on other Republicans and prosecution of a corrupt justice system.
“You got the dirtiest calling him dirt. That’s hypocrisy,” said Ronald Bucina of Prospect, Tenn., who donated $50. “They stole more money than George Santos ever dreamed of stealing.”
Charles Scheferston, a retired New York City detective who lives in Rockville Center, NY, and also gave $50, said the congressman was “probably guilty” and lied “like crazy,” but he liked his stance. in policy. “You can’t lie about a voting record,” he said.
Mr. Santos’ expenses are quite limited except for his debt payments. Although he pays legal and consulting fees, he does not report paying any staff or renting an office.
The new infusion leaves Mr. Santos with $55,275.72 in cash on hand. The campaign reported $530,000 in unpaid personal loans as of Friday, though a $100,000 loan reported last quarter was not listed in the most recent filing.
