The Federal Elections Commission (FEC) has sent an official inquiry to Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), asking him to declare whether he is running for reelection in 2024.
The Long Island, New York, lawmaker just won his first election and currently represents the state’s third congressional district.
The election commission went on to inform the potential candidate, “You must either disavow these activities by notifying the Commission in writing that you are not a candidate, or redesignate your principal campaign committee by filing a Statement of Candidacy … within thirty-five (35) days from the date of this letter.”
The letter said the first-year Republican’s campaign “may have failed to include the true, correct, or complete treasurer information” on paperwork listing Thomas Datwyler as its new treasurer and custodian of records.
Datwyler stated through his lawyer, Derek Ross, that he declined the role and was unaware that he would be identified as treasurer on the campaign’s papers, which included his electronic signature, email, and mailing addresses.
According to federal regulations, a campaign committee cannot raise or spend money unless it has a treasurer. The treasurer collects all contributions, and only the treasurer or someone designated by the treasurer can approve campaign expenses.
Myers claims Santos was concerned about negative media attention and referenced the claims that Santos may have misled constituents about his background while running for office. The congressman has denied that he had any involvement in sexual misconduct.
Santos’s office did not respond to a request for comment before the time of publication.