Peter Schorsch
Congressional candidate Gavin Rollins is the latest to politicize the spreading coronavirus pandemic in a Thursday tweet that makes the Republican look out of touch and, worse, a bit juvenile.
Rollins, who is one of several Republican candidates running to replace Ted Yoho in Florida’s 3rd Congressional District, suggested all of his opponents drop out of the race because of the virus.
“Due to the threat of coronavirus, I’m calling on all of my congressional opponents to drop out of the race and declare me the winner. This will prevent the need for public campaign events,” Rollins wrote.
Due to the threat of coronavirus, I’m calling on all of my congressional opponents to drop out of the race and declare me the winner. This will prevent the need for public campaign events.
— Gavin Rollins (@gavinrollins) March 12, 2020
Seriously?
Ignore for a second that yes, a single candidate would limit the need for public appearances that are increasingly being discouraged as more people are diagnosed with the coronavirus everyday.
But what makes this guy think he should be the coronated GOP torch bearer? Is Rollins so arrogant that he thinks he should automatically be handed the party’s nomination? Does he have some sort of immunity to the virus we should know about?
The guy isn’t even the frontrunner, far from it, which makes his implication that others should sit this one out and hand the race off to him, well, laughable.
Let’s take a second to consider Rollins’ race so far.
He entered the race in January with a seemingly good case. He’s an incumbent Clay County Commissioner, a Captain in the Florida National Guard, a veteran on the Global War on Terror with a tour as a senior intelligence officer in an East African combat zone on his resume and he teaches American history.
But within the first few weeks of his campaign, things started to break down when Rollins split with his high-profile consultants. Those consultants, Tim Baker, Kevin Hofmann and Erin Isaac, claim they walked because Rollins wasn’t “ready for prime time.”
“Financial support looks thin, candidate difficult to work with. Too many early indicators of low probability success,” Baker told Florida Politics at the time.
For his part, Rollins said he dumped them, not the other way around. But those are still some pretty damning allegations from a consultant who has over the years become a go-to political consultant for Republicans with a future.
If Baker walked, it’s because he saw the writing on the wall that Rollins was a non-starter in GOP politics at the Congressional level from the get-go.
Rollins’ tweet suggests he thinks so, too. It shouts, “hey guys, can you drop out please? It’s the only way I can win this thing.”
And as for being out of touch? His tweet didn’t gain much traction. It’s only received two likes and four comments, but one of those sums it up.
“This is what you choose to say? I’ve got loved ones on chemo and with underlying [health] conditions and this virus [could] mean a death sentence to them,” wrote one Twitter user. “No. This isn’t a time for jokes. It’s a time for leadership.”
Exactly.
11 comments
Alex Panty
March 13, 2020 at 10:04 am
Looks like Justice destroyed another political career by attempting to be clever. Ask Corey and a multitude of others how that worked out.
Matt Dingle
March 13, 2020 at 10:48 am
Gavin Rollins, grow up.
Seriously, grow up.
Pedro
March 13, 2020 at 12:41 pm
Typical Republican candidate, cocky, immature, stupid and out of touch with most of america!
ANDREW NELSON
March 13, 2020 at 2:11 pm
I sold a house he was renting about 10 years back. He was an aspiring politician at that point, with a handler/advisor already. This was six months before winning his first ever post; town council member in Keystone Heights. But even then, he described himself as an aspiring politician. Not a reserve officer, not a teacher… aspiring, career politician. He is an atypical southern, Fox news Republican. Not an original thought in his head. In fact, not many thoughts at all. I remember him speaking at a town council meeting; other than delivering a wildly off the point tirade, now that I’ve found out he’s a history teacher, I’m amazed how little knowledge of American history he demonstrated in his little speech. It was obvious he didn’t know the difference between Adams and Jefferson, but on top of that, was schilling views on Abe Lincoln that were debunked in the 1880s. This guys just another know-nothing tool aspiring to a life in political office.
Sonja Emily Fitch
March 13, 2020 at 2:28 pm
YEP ANOTHER WHITE MAN REPUBLICAN TOTALLY OUT OF TOUCH.
Michael Cairo Raftice
March 13, 2020 at 4:58 pm
I have friend who went to school with the guy and he describes him as “dangerously out of touch”. I’m concerned that he’s allowed to teach American History.
Darryl S.
March 13, 2020 at 7:23 pm
This is the same neanderthal who sent photos of his genitals to a teacher (not sure of the gender of the teacher) at his school while he knew he was going to be running for Congress. He did this at school? A place where children could easily be around…?
Then, shortly after, he leaves the school? That seems a little strange. Did they cover it up?
Common Sense
March 14, 2020 at 8:11 am
I think this article demonstrates the problem we face with journalism today… if there isn’t a real issue, let’s make one up. The comment was facetious at worst. And every candidate thinks they are the best for the job or they wouldn’t be running. What’s more disturbing is that a “high level” journalist would spend their time on this kind of nonsense instead of focusing on uncovering the truth of the deep state relationships that impact elections at every level. Government is supposed to provide equality but currently relationships supercede that.
How about you start talking more about things that really matter… like who is backing who. Who owns which PACs? Sure would be nice to read something of real value that rises above petty politics.
Meow
March 14, 2020 at 1:31 pm
…Hopefully Gavin didn’t use the nickels and quarters his campaign has raised to pay someone to write this comment. 🙂
(Yawn)
Joette
March 14, 2020 at 6:37 pm
I worked with him as a high school teacher for a year. His room was right next to mine. He is a decent guy and has a dry sense of humor. His kids were a very challenging group but he never gave up on them. We shared many of the same students. The kids loved going to his class and said they actually learn with him. Getting a high school kid to admit they like learning is a feat in itself. The kids appreciated all of his hard work and dedication when many teachers had given up on them. I asked why he decided to teach and he said he wanted first hand experience of what teachers go through in the education system. By the end of his first year teaching he was in awe of what we do with limited resources and state mandates. He has first hand experience of how hard teachers work and sacrifices we make for our students. Darryl S. I have no idea where you got your information but that is not Gavin. He taught the whole year and no pics were sent. Honestly, whomever screens the posts here may want to look into the validity that post.
Tony
March 15, 2020 at 10:12 am
This whole thing outrages me. Gavin has no issue addressing this with anyone who is concerned by it. He’s fearless. But really who cares? They were consenting adults. There is nothing wrong with sexting. Now a deranged “nurse” who might have bankrupted herself and the chamber is trying to turn this into and issue because his Ex went a little cray-cray. Grow up and see who the real villain is.
Comments are closed.