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Who Would You Rather Represent New York's 3rd District In Congress?
- George Santos
- Michael Sapraicone
- Kellen Curry
- Philip Grillo
- Somebody else
Republican Michael Sapraicone, a retired New York City Police Department detective and US Navy veteran, announced his campaign for the state’s 3rd Congressional District seat on Tuesday, July 25.
The district, which the 35-year-old Santos won by seven points in 2022, represents parts of Nassau County and Queens.
“My campaign for Congress is about honest public service and hard work because my neighbors in Queens and Long Island deserve nothing less,” Sapraicone said.
“I spent two decades in the NYPD serving and protecting our community before building a global security company from the ground up.
"I’m running for Congress to return integrity and a respected voice to the office, and to focus on issues like public safety, border security, and fiscal responsibility to get our country back on the right track.”
Sapraicone, a 67-year-old Queens native who runs his own security business, added that the constituents of the 3rd District have been “unfairly neglected” since Santos assumed office.
“Whether it is helping a resident get a passport or making sure our communities get our fair share of funding from Washington, I will be there for them and that’s a promise,” he said.
Sapraicone is the highest profile Republican to challenge Santos in 2024, having made national appearances as a security expert on CNN, Fox News, and the Today Show. He also hosted “Mike Sapraicone’s Street Smart” on Long Island News Radio.
His candidacy is likely welcome news to the district’s many Republicans who have admitted feeling betrayed and embarrassed for backing Santos, who confessed to lying about much of his background in the leadup to the election, including where he worked and went to school.
In May 2023, Santos was indicted on 13 federal criminal charges, including wire fraud, money laundering and making false statements on federal disclosure forms. He has pleaded not guilty on all counts.
A Siena College poll released in February 2023, the most recent, found that majorities of Republicans, Democrats, and independents think Santos should resign from Congress.
Two other Republicans have announced their candidacy for the seat:
- Kellen Curry, a former vice president of JP Morgan and US Air Force veteran
- Philip Grillo, a US Marine Corps veteran and alleged participant in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol
Who would you like to represent New York's 3rd District in Congress? Sound off in our poll above.
Related stories:
- ‘No Fortune For Fraud’: NY Reps Introduce Legislation Targeting George Santos
- Mystery No More: Backers Of George Santos' $500K Bond In Federal Criminal Case Revealed
- Embattled Nassau Rep. George Santos 'Proudly' Announces Re-Election Bid: 'We Need A Fighter'
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