Voters protest outside Congressman-elect George Santos' vacant district office in Douglaston
NEW YORK -- Republican Congressman-elect George Santos continued casting votes for speaker of the House on Thursday as people in his district continued calling for his resignation.
Members of the Republican party on Long Island said Santos cannot effectively represent New York's 3rd Congressional District.
While Santos' office in Washington, D.C. was up and running, protesters gathered outside his vacant district office in Douglaston. There was no sign of staff that would normally be in place by now.
"Of everything deceitful that he did, the worst thing that he is doing is not show up to do the job that you lied to get," said Nassau County Legislator Josh Lafazan, a Democrat.
There were mounting calls to resign from voters who said they were duped by a candidate who fabricated virtually all of his qualifications.
Great Neck voter Jodi Kass Finkel launched a bipartisan petition.
"We got a con man, we got a liar, we got a charlatan," said Finkel.
Voters holding Pinocchio figures said Santos is thumbing his nose at constituents by his silence, but for a handful of select interviews.
Retired Republican Rep. Pete King predicted if Santos remains, he won't be able to get anything done.
"Basically you're talking about a person who is radioactive. He's a dead man walking. I can't see anybody even having any conversation with him," said King.
MORE: New questions surround Congressman-elect George Santos' campaign finances
The sentiment was echoed by Jen DeSena, the town of North Hempstead's Republican supervisor.
"George Santos has lied to the public and betrayed the public's trust. While I feel personally betrayed, my concerns are for the residents of the 3rd District who placed their trust in Mr. Santos based on a record that was fabricated," DeSena said. "As we know now, his experience and background are nothing more than bald-faced lies. What's more, his answers to news inquiries have been flippant, insincere, and misleading, as he continues to lie in his public responses. Mr. Santos is not trustworthy, and I am personally offended and disgusted by his actions, which included deceiving me personally when he sought my endorsement. He does not have my support, and I will never consider him my congressman."
Nassau County Republican Committee Chairman Joseph Cairo Jr. issued his strongest statement to date.
"George Santos has violated the trust of voters in 3rd Congressional District, and he has disgraced the House of Representatives. What's more, Mr. Santos has deceived the Republican party with a profusion of lies, fabrications and hurtful comments, which have ensured that he has no place in the Nassau County Republican Committee. He is not welcome at our functions or our meetings. If he attempts to attend, he will be asked to leave. Further, he has no support within the party, and he will never have the endorsement of the Nassau County Republican Committee for any elective office," Cairo said.
Democrats said they're waiting for a unified call to resign.
"I suspect that they're waiting for the speaker vote," said North Hempstead Town Councilwoman Veronica Lurvey. "If somebody should not be in Congress then they shouldn't be in Congress from day one."
Some voters blamed themselves.
"We didn't do our homework, this is our responsibility. The GOP did not vet their candidate," said Evelina Sarles, from Bayville.
Several petitions called on law enforcement to expedite their investigations so the district isn't robbed of its voice in Washington.