Let The Golden Dukes 2023 Voting Begin: Santos Was Just The Tip Of The Iceberg

By Nicole LaFond

Originally Published: December 21, 2023 4:38 p.m.

Sure, it was an epic year for public corruption on a large scale, but also on stupid and small scales. For one thing, George Santos existed. But the expelled congressman's resume padding and (alleged) fraud was given a run for its money by Sen. Robert Menendez's (D-NJ) insatiable appetite for (allegedly) accepting bribes in the form of gold bars, or Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' gluttonous penchant for luxury yachts and vacations with billionaires.

But the Golden Dukes are about so much more than your average, shameless public corruption. TPM lives to celebrate mendacity and we raise our glasses to the bad, salacious and crazy in all of its most foolish, and also carnal, forms. Whether you're a congresswoman lying about vapin' and gropin' in a public theater or a governor so desperate to find your MAGAland footing you pull out a poop map during a debate — we're here to celebrate you.

Last week, we asked you to submit nominations for the worst offenders in seven different categories. TPM readers, you delivered. So much so that we had to spend hours winnowing down the list.

Now we need your help again. Help us crown 2023's most odious weasels by voting below. May the best bigot win!

SEE AND VOTE ON THE NOMINEES