The New York Post reports that embattled U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-NY) is all set to announce his 2024 re-election campaign this week. 

This was not that unexpected as the Los Angeles Times, roughly a month ago, reported that Santos had filed paperwork signaling his intention to run for reelection in 2024.

But now, apparently, it is official.

The Post reports that Santos is set to announce his reelection campaign in Washington, D.C., on Monday.

Background

To say that Santos's first term in Congress has been unusual would be a gross understatement.

After gaining a U.S. House seat by flipping red one of New York's congressional districts, the congressman has faced multiple calls - from both sides of the political spectrum - for his resignation. These calls have stemmed from the unusually large amount of lying that it appears Santos has done about himself - including about key details of his professional biography.

The Washington Examiner reports:

Examples include dubious claims that he was a "descendant" of Holocaust survivors and earned a degree from New York University. Santos has since conceded that he was a "terrible liar" and attributed his motivation for lying to political pressures and credentialism.

Santos is currently facing an ethics investigation, which is being led by the U.S. House of Representatives, into these biographical lies. In addition to this, Santos is facing a federal investigation

The pressure that Santos has faced as a result of these lies, however, does not seem to be bothering him. Not only has is resisted calls to resign, but, now, he is seeking out a second term.

Looking ahead

There is little doubt that the race for Santos's congressional seat is going to be a hotly contested one. That's because, with the baggage that Santos is now carrying, others are going to view his seat as vulnerable.

To prove this point, Joseph Cairo is the leader of the Nassau County GOP - the district which Santos represents - and Cairo says that he has been contacted by at least ten individuals who are eager to run against Santos in 2024.

Santos, however, does still seem to be a viable candidate.

The Post reports:

. . . the Republican congressman has “called big donors and sat down with supporters and believes he can raise $500,000 to $750,000 in the second quarter of 2023,” said a person close to Santos.

Still, it is clear that the path to reelection is going to be a difficult one for Santos.