Former U.S. Representative George Santos of New York announced on Friday his decision to leave the Republican Party and run as an independent candidate in a bid to return to Congress. Santos was expelled from the House of Representatives in December after being accused of federal fraud charges.

Taking to social media, Santos expressed his disappointment with the GOP-controlled House's recent vote to approve a $1.2 trillion package of spending bills. He criticized the Republican Party for what he called lying and swindling its voter base, stating that he could no longer align himself with a party that stands for nothing and easily falls for everything.

Earlier this month, Santos had already declared his candidacy against Republican Representative Nick LaLota in the GOP primary. However, the district he is now challenging in is different from the one he previously represented before his expulsion. Among the contenders for the Democratic candidate for the seat is John Avlon, a former CNN anchor.

Santos became only the sixth member in history to be expelled from the House of Representatives following a critical House Ethics Committee report that found overwhelming evidence of his involvement in lawbreaking activities. He has pleaded not guilty to charges including lying to Congress about his wealth, fraudulently receiving unemployment benefits, and misusing campaign contributions for personal expenses such as designer clothing.

Not surprisingly, Santos faced criticism from New York Republicans when he originally announced his candidacy. Representative Nick LaLota commented that Santos' expulsion from Congress was beneficial for the nation, and his resignation from the Republican Party was a positive move for conservative values. LaLota also suggested that Santos should watch him defend the swing district and the November election results from a prison cell, as he holds him accountable for stealing an election and misleading donors.

Another Republican, Garcia, dismissed Santos' actions as a mere quest for celebrity status and stated that there was no appetite amongst the voters for Santos to continue his political endeavors.

In his social media posts, Santos directed criticism towards both Nick LaLota and John Avlon, mentioning that he would face them in the November election.

Santos' decision to leave the Republican Party and run as an independent will certainly shake up the race for Congress in his targeted district. As the election approaches, voters will have to consider whether they are willing to support Santos, who faces serious legal allegations, or choose among other candidates in what is expected to be a competitive and closely watched contest in Long Island.