George R. Santos (born August 5, 1985) is an American entrepreneur and politician serving as a member of the United States House of Representatives for New York’s 3rd congressional district since 2021. Santos is a member of the Republican Party.
Early Life and Education
Santos was born in New York City, New York, to immigrant parents from Portugal and Colombia. He grew up in the city’s Queens borough and attended St. Francis Prep High School before going on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Political Science from Fordham University.
Career
After graduating from Fordham, Santos pursued a career in entrepreneurship, co-founding two companies, SquareGiv and VETCON, which focus on providing technological solutions for nonprofit organizations and veteran-owned businesses, respectively.
Santos became involved in Republican politics as a volunteer for Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign. He also worked as a field director for State Senator Martin Golden’s re-election campaign in Brooklyn in 2016.
Congressional Career
In 2020, Santos announced his candidacy for New York’s 3rd congressional district, which encompasses parts of Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island. Santos ran as a Republican, challenging incumbent Democrat Tom Suozzi.
Santos focused his campaign on issues such as reducing taxes, supporting small businesses, and improving infrastructure on Long Island. He also emphasized his experience as an entrepreneur, arguing that he would bring a fresh perspective to Congress.
On Election Day, Santos defeated Suozzi by a margin of 52% to 48%, becoming the first Republican to represent the district since 1993.
In Congress, Santos has continued to focus on issues related to entrepreneurship and small businesses. He has also expressed support for a strong national defense and has been critical of what he sees as excessive government regulation.
Personal Life
Santos is married to Sarah Santos, a schoolteacher. They have one daughter, Olivia.
Santos is an avid golfer and enjoys playing basketball in his free time. He also volunteers with various nonprofit organizations focused on veteran’s issues and education.
Controversy
In 2021, Santos was criticized for posting a photo of himself on Instagram wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat and giving a thumbs up while touring the United States Capitol with other Republican members of Congress. The photo was posted less than a week after the deadly storming of the Capitol by supporters of then-President Donald Trump.
Santos defended the photo, saying that it was taken before the violence at the Capitol and that he was not condoning the rioters’ actions. He also apologized for the insensitivity of the timing of the post.
Conclusion
George Santos is a rising star in the Republican Party, known for his entrepreneurial background and focus on small-business issues. His victory in the 2020 election in a traditionally Democratic district was seen as a significant upset and a sign of the party’s strength on Long Island. While Santos has faced criticism for his social media posts, he remains committed to advocating for policies that he believes will benefit his constituents and the country as a whole.
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