Scandal-Plagued Rep. Matt Gaetz Wins GOP Primary In Florida

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) defeated his opponent in the Republican primary on Tuesday despite being embroiled in multiple scandals, including sex crimes, since taking office in 2017.

Gaetz, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, eliminated former FedEx executive Mark Lombardo in one of the most conservative districts in Florida. He spent $1.1 million in TV ads to tout his relationship with Trump. Lombardo spent less than half that amount.

“Matt is a Champion of our MAGA Agenda, who tirelessly works to Drain the Swamp, Secure the Border, Support our Brave Veterans and Law Enforcement, Defend the Second Amendment, Stand Up to the Woke Mob, and Fight the Never-Ending Witch Hunts from the Radical Left that are destroying our Country!” Trump, who won the district by over 33% in 2020, wrote last weekend on his social media platform, Truth Social.

Gaetz is currently being investigated for inappropriate relations with a 17-year-old girl and potentially paying her to travel with him. He maintains his innocence.

The Florida Republican and Trump ally is set to face off against Democratic candidate Rebekah Jones, who was a data manager at the Florida Department of Health, in the November election.

Jones said she was fired by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) for refusing to lie about Covid-19-related data. Jones is also currently under investigation for potentially using a government computer to download an unauthorized file.