Pamela Brown and Gregory Krieg report for CNN about how important Rep. Elise Stefanik was to getting Rep. George Santos elected. Stefanik, a Republican, represents New York's 21st Congressional District, which now includes Rensselaer County. Santos was just elected as a Republican from Long Island, with a long list of outrageous lies that are being uncovered daily. “I would have never donated without Elise,” said Ken Salamone, who gave $5,800 to Santos’ campaign and more than $20,000 to his joint fundraising committee. “I assumed she did her homework. I always do my homework and didn’t. Shame on me.” Kristin Bianco is another Republican donor who said Stefanik convinced her to give to Santos. But after she gave Santos $550, she said he lied to her about whether Donald Trump had endorsed him. “He was after me to become a big donor…he was such a fraud,” Bianco said. “I tried to warn people.” CNN quotes a third, anonymous donor to Santos who said, “he donated to George Santos because of Elise Stefanik’s endorsement.” All Stefanik will say, through a spokesperson, is that she was not, “aware of the allegations (against Santos) prior to the New York Times reporting,” which came after the election. CNN also quotes a senior Republican strategist involved in campaigns before the midterms saying, “Stefanik’s team was laser focused on electing Santos to Congress – more than just about any other race in the country.” The Stefanik spokesperson denied any involvement with the campaign of Santos, saying, “At no point did any staff for Congresswoman Stefanik work or advise this candidate.” Stefanik Tweeted her endorsement of Santos on August 11, 2021. On May 23, 2022, Stefanik Tweeted that she had helped raise more than $100,000 for Santos. Read more about this story at CNN.