Former GOP Rep. George Santos said Friday that he plans to file to run as an independent in New York’s First District this year “I am officially suspending my petitioning in #NY01 to access the ballot as a Republican and will be filling to run as an independent,” Santos wrote on X. He cited “today’s embarrassing showing in the House,” as his reasoning for switching to an independent run.us polictics news Former GOP Rep. George Santos said Friday that he plans to file to run as an independent in New York’s First District this year “I am officially suspending my petitioning in #NY01 to access the ballot as a Republican and will be filling to run as an independent,” Santos wrote on X. He cited “today’s embarrassing showing in the House,” as his reasoning for switching to an independent run.