Former Santos aide says ousted lawmaker’s challenge to LaLota ‘is a joke’

Former Rep. George Santos’ announcement Thursday night that he is jumping into another House race in New York raised eyebrows, including his former communications director.

Asked if she saw anything wrong with Santos, who was ousted from his seat in December, Nyssa Woomer seemed to agree with that assessment.

“I kind of want to say yes, because I sound like a congressman turned celebrity,” Woomer said. Said CNN’s Jake Tapper appears on Friday’s “The Lead.” “And I think just the media attention he had all through his time in Congress, and that just increased his ego…I mean, it’s a joke.”

“One of my biggest questions is: Do I need to go back?” she added.

Her comments came just a day after Santos made a surprise appearance at President Biden’s State of the Union address. During her speech, she announced on social media that she is launching her candidacy against Representative Nick Lakota (RN.Y.) in New York’s 1st Congressional District.

“There has been no real conservative representation in New York since I arbitrarily left office, thanks to RINOs and empty suits like Nick Larota,” Santos said. Said in X’s post, formerly Twitter. “He is a man who is willing to risk the future of our majority and the future of this country for his own political interests.”

Larota responded and showed his willingness to take on the challenge.

“I spearheaded the effort to oust George Santos to raise standards in Congress and hold accountable the pathological liars who stole our election,” he said. Posted in X. “If we need to beat him in the primary to get the job done, let me in.”

Mr. Santos’ appearance at Mr. Biden’s speech to Congress caused quite a few groans. New York state Rep. Richie Torres, who played a major role in the former congressman’s ouster, announced plans for new rules that would prevent him from making another surprise visit.

The George Rule, or “on expulsion formally revokes admission bond,” ensures that former members who have been voted out of the House cannot use that privilege to return to the House floor. be.

In an interview Friday, Woomer suggested she supports the rule, which Tapper called the title “pretty clever.”

“I think this is a good rule,” she said. “I mean, just remember, I think he’s the sixth senator to be expelled.”