Jim Rosica
House Speaker Richard Corcoran elbowed into a social media “spat” between Adam Putnam and Andrew Gillum about immigration, saying they’re both on the wrong side of the amnesty debate.
“Ironic to see a dust up between these two on immigration, since they’ve both supported #amnesty for illegal immigrants. Call it amnesty or sanctuary cities, both defy our rule of law and make the nation (and Florida) less safe. #TwoSidesOfTheSameCoin,” Corcoran tweeted Thursday.
Ironic to see a dust up between these two on immigration, since they’ve both supported #amnesty for illegal immigrants. Call it amnesty or sanctuary cities, both defy our rule of law and make the nation (and Florida) less safe. #TwoSidesOfTheSameCoin https://t.co/fLnTkHD5mX
— Richard Corcoran (@richardcorcoran) December 7, 2017
Corcoran is widely expected to jump into the governor’s race after the 2018 Legislative Session.
Earlier this week, Putnam – the term-limited Agriculture Commissioner and Republican candidate for governor – tweeted, “Thanks for the Half True, @PolitiFactFL. @AndrewGillum wants to make Florida a sanctuary state. That WILL NOT happen on my watch. #FloridaFirst.”
Thanks for the Half True, @PolitiFactFL. @AndrewGillum wants to make Florida a sanctuary state. That WILL NOT happen on my watch. #FloridaFirst https://t.co/23RVRyiOZd
— Adam Putnam (@adamputnam) December 7, 2017
Gillum – the mayor of Tallahassee and Democratic candidate for governor – shot back in a tweet, “Half true & all racist is nothing to be proud of, Commissioner. I’m proud to stand up for all people – precisely what Floridians expect of their leaders.”
Half true & all racist is nothing to be proud of, Commissioner. I’m proud to stand up for all people – precisely what Floridians expect of their leaders. https://t.co/m71ZRO9ToF
— Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) December 7, 2017
(Putnam since responded, also on Twitter, “It’s really unfortunate that we can’t have a public dialogue about policy without insults. Sanctuary cities are dangerous and have no place in the state of Florida. That’s a fact.”)
It's really unfortunate that we can't have a public dialogue about policy without insults. Sanctuary cities are dangerous and have no place in the state of Florida. That's a fact. https://t.co/hYLupCipZu pic.twitter.com/pizAbtDn1G
— Adam Putnam (@adamputnam) December 7, 2017
The issue has roiled conservatives most recently because of the case of 32-year-old Kate Steinle, who was shot and killed by an undocumented immigrant in San Francisco two years ago. Jose Ines Garcia Zarate was acquitted last week on state murder and manslaughter charges, but was soon charged on other counts in federal court.
On Friday, Corcoran followed up his tweet with a web ad across his social platforms.
We must not allow Florida to follow California. Sign our petition https://t.co/OwpJXs0wSm #StopSanctuaryCities #Flpol pic.twitter.com/FARmRfzhll
— Richard Corcoran (@richardcorcoran) December 8, 2017
