A.G. Gancarski
Candidates in Florida’s 6th Congressional District are beginning to reach a consensus: Republican John Ward needs to get out of the race.
John Ward has been under fire for weeks for comments made at a forum in April.
His take was that displaced Puerto Ricans shouldn’t be voting in Florida; one by one, candidates have been issuing statements rebuking Ward’s take.
Mike Waltz, one of three Republicans running to replace Ron DeSantis in the St. Johns/Flagler/Volusia district, again called for Ward’s withdrawal Monday, echoing a call he made a week and a half ago.
“As a Green Beret Commander who served multiple combat tours overseas, it’s outrageous to me that politician John Ward would say certain American citizens shouldn’t be able to vote in our country,” Waltz said.
“In combat, no matter where we came from, we all served under the same flag and fought to ensure we all had the same rights. For John Ward to suggest otherwise makes him unfit to serve,” Waltz added.
“There is no place for politician John Ward in this or any campaign and that’s why I’m calling on him to withdraw his candidacy immediately. I urge fellow Republicans to join the chorus of conservative leaders in Florida to demand the same,” Waltz added.
Democrats Nancy Soderberg and John Upchurch have already called for Ward to withdraw. Republican Fred Costello and Democrat Stephen Sevigny likewise have condemned the comments.
Ward, meanwhile, did not respond to our request for comment Monday afternoon.
