Florida Republicans see opening as Gaetz's legal peril rises

[DonViejo]

By GARY FINEOUT 04/10/2021 07:00 AM EDT

TALLAHASSEE — Rep. Matt Gaetz insists he’s not resigning amid an ongoing federal investigation, but Republicans in his deep red Florida district are already eyeing his seat.

Several Republican elected officials and others who live in the sprawling Panhandle district said they received a robo-call over the weekend asking voters if they thought Gaetz would step down due to his legal woes. They were also asked about potential candidates — including Laura Loomer, the provocateur who mounted an unsuccessful campaign for a South Florida congressional seat last year.

“The seat is not open. Congressman Gaetz isn’t resigning,” said State Rep. Alex Andrade, a Pensacola Republican. “If the seat became open at some point I would strongly consider it.”

Andrade won’t be alone. For many Republicans in the area, a spot in Congress may be the pinnacle of their political career. And Florida’s 1st congressional district — one of the safest Republican districts in the country — has only come open three times in the last 40 years.

more
https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2021/04/10/florida-republicans-see-opening-as-gaetzs-legal-peril-rises-1372788

[BGBD]

1. Fucking Laura Loomer

would make MTG look like a Mensa candidate.

[speak easy]

3. So I'm guessing she's a shoo-in?

[jimfields33]

5. Whoever wins the primary is going to Washington

But I suspect the primary will be ugly if it gets to that point.

[dalton99a]

2. Trump will decide. May the craziest one win

[patphil]

4. Republican sharks are circling Gaetz...they smell blood on the water.

And I don't think anyone down there is interested in throwing him a life preserver.
It's going to be a feeding frenzy when he goes down.
Unfortunately, there is an inexhaustible supply of right wing nut jobs Loomering on the horizon, ready to ascend to his seat.

[gratuitous]

6. But not a one of them will breathe a word against Matt

As soon as his career collapses, we'll be treated to the "behind the scenes" story of how brave and moral all the people competing for his seat were, but they just couldn't say as much in public because reasons having nothing to do with cowardice.