Staff Reports
Cape Coral Republican Mike Giallombardo hasn’t talked about President Donald Trump much during his campaign for House District 77.
That’s not unusual on its face. It’s not like he’s running for Congress — not in 2020, at least — and Trump has little to do with the state House.
Still, whether a Republican politician supports the President is a litmus test for most GOP voters. Trump, after all, still has rock-solid support within the party.
If Giallombardo’s social media history is any indication, keeping quiet is the right call. Or it would be if he hadn’t already let the world know how he really feels.
In 2016, the candidate made a couple of unfiltered Facebook posts that showed deep disdain for then-candidate Trump. Though he’s not the best speller, it’s clear he thinks Trump is a self-interested, greedy narcissist who “doesn’t give a s***” about Americans.
If that’s bad, this is worse: he went full “Godwin’s law” by comparing the President to Adolf Hitler.
While his statements would likely play well in a Democratic primary race, it’s might as well be a death sentence in the GOP stronghold that is Southwest Florida.
That’s how it’s played out before — and for less severe statements.
Just take a peek at last year’s primary race between former Rep. Julio Gonzalez and now U.S. Rep. Greg Steube.
During the 2016 presidential primary, Gonzalez tweeted that “Trump is no conservative” and “the fact that Trump is still in the race is deplorable.”
Now there’s a “former” in front of his name. And it’s likely to stay that way.
But, unlike Gonzalez, Giallombardo could end up doing damage to more than himself.
A few months ago, current HD 77 Rep. Dane Eagle endorsed Giallombardo as his successor.
Now, Eagle is running for Florida’s 19th Congressional District, the seat is being vacated by U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney, who announced his retirement mere days after he said he was keeping an “open mind” about impeaching Trump.
It would have been considerate of Giallombardo to, ya know, let his friend know about his leanings.
At this point, it’s unclear why Giallombardo is running in the Republican primary at all. He’s a “Never Trumper” who is getting trounced in fundraising.
Maybe he should go ahead and update his voter registration.
5 comments
John Kociuba
November 18, 2019 at 7:52 am
Dear Citizens ~
Re: Mike Gillambardo
Look, morons like this never ending insignificant floating piece of blowfish sh#t are so ignorant of history (Democratic-Socialism aka Menshevik Communism) the abuse of power by our lawless Federal Court systems, Pentagon, Homeland Security, Fusion Centers, TSA, and this rogue Government filled with Communists spent 200 billion in 2019 alone on ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION!
Hon. President Donald John Trump is trying to bring us back from the abyss after the failures of Clinton, Obama, Bush! These Commie lovers love each other! Remember George Bush’s funeral?
These lowlife wretches despise you! Despise the family! Are you so stupid you believe tge heroin epidemic shortly after the Afghanistan invasion to secure the poppy fields was a coincidence? All these Presidents adored Woodrow Wilson who promoted separating the heroin addict from the gentleman whilst selling opium
and hated the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
This vile puke is far from an educated Statesman and now we know his name!
Once you allow these DEMONS to take your guns & speech you’ll see the DEVIL himself! Yes. By that time its too late.
TRUMP2020! TRUMP2020! TRUMP2020!
Alice
November 18, 2019 at 10:33 am
Interesting how you leave out when he supported Rubio in 2016 and then got behind President Trump when he won the nomination. Interesting how you also left out that he spoke at the Trump rally in Hertz arena. But yes someone having an opinion early on in a crowded field over 4 years ago is definitely news worthy.
Steven
November 18, 2019 at 11:45 am
Shut up, Terry.
Sonja Emily Fitch
November 19, 2019 at 5:54 am
THERE ARE NO REPUBLICANS. THERE ARE ONLY goptrump CULT LEADER TRUMP SUPPORTERS…..BIGGLY DIFFERENCE…SO SIR ARE YOU A REPUBLICAN OR a goptrump CULT TRUMP SUPPORTER. I AS A LIFE LONG DEMOCRAT HOPE YOU ARE A GOOD AND DECENT REPUBLICA
gary
November 19, 2019 at 10:17 am
RINO’S SUCK!
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