George Papadopoulos, Former Convict And Ex-Trump Aide, Announces Bid To Fill Rep. Katie Hill’s Congressional Seat

George Papadopoulos, the former Trump aide who served time for making false statements to the FBI during the investigation of Russian interference in 2016 has filed to replace Rep. Katie Hill (D-California), who is resigning from her position amid a nude photo scandal and allegations of sexual misconduct.

He tweeted his intent to run Sunday, saying, “I’m smelling blood in the water now that Katie Hill has resigned,” and adding that “someone has to step up.”

He joins several Republicans vying to flip the seat back to red, including Mike Garcia, a Marine endorsed by former Gov. Pete Wilson, Lancaster City Councilwoman Angela Underwood-Jacobs, former Buck McKeon aide Suzette Martinez Valladares, Los Angeles County Sheriff‘s Sgt. Mark Cripe and Santa Clarita resident Charlies Patron.

The first major Democrat to join the race, Assemblywoman Christy Smith, tweeted her dismay at Papadopoulos joining the race.

“Wow! @GeorgePapa19 is running in #CA25! If he pled guilty to lying the FBI – how do we know he’ll tell us the truth?” Smith wrote. “We deserve someone from our community serving as our voice – not @realDonaldTrump’s wannabe political hack!”

Article by Katherine Huggins