A.G. Gancarski
A Jacksonville Republican is the sixth Florida Representative in Congress to endorse Donald Trump over Ron DeSantis, a former Congressman.
“As a former Sheriff, I understand the importance of a fair and impartial system of justice. The systemic targeting of Americans with conservative ideals, especially our 45th President of the United States, disgraces our nation’s legacy,” said U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, a four-term legislator and former Duval County Sheriff.
“As strong Republicans, we must restore law, order, and justice to our country, and President Trump is the right person to do it. Under President Trump’s leadership, America was more safe, more secure, and more prosperous, and as the 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump will Make America Great Again!”
This is the second time Rutherford crossed DeSantis in an endorsement process.
In 2018, the Congressman picked Adam Putnam over DeSantis in the Primary, despite DeSantis representing an adjacent district that included neighboring St. Johns County.
Rutherford joins U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds, Matt Gaetz, Anna Paulina Luna and Cory Mills and Greg Steube in endorsing Trump, whose campaign says to expect even more endorsements to follow. Rutherford and Steube announced his support after DeSantis started calling members of the delegation asking them not to announce Trump endorsements, according to reporting by NBC News’ Matt Dixon.
We hear that Rep. Laurel Lee has just endorsed DeSantis, the sole Florida Congressmember to back him, meanwhile.
DeSantis is ducking questions about the tidal wave of Trump endorsements that have correlated with the Governor’s recent plunge in polls.
At a state press conference surrounding yet another crackdown on The Walt Disney Co., the Governor refused to answer a reporter’s request for comment on a number of Senate endorsements for the former President, who continues to enjoy momentum in 2024 Presidential Primary polls.
“This is a big announcement. I mean, honestly, you’re asking me about political process. I mean, why don’t we focus on this issue at hand?” DeSantis responded.
In addition to dozens of members of the House of Representatives choosing Trump, Senators also are making their positions known, including Marcia Blackburn and Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Ted Budd of North Carolina, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, Eric Schmitt of Missouri, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and J.D. Vance of Ohio.
Florida’s two Senators, Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, have not yet endorsed in the 2024 race. Scott is unlikely to back DeSantis, contending he and the Governor do not talk.
In addition to Lee, DeSantis has been endorsed so far by two members of Congress, Kentucky’s Thomas Massie and Texas’ Chip Roy.
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Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics contributed to this report.
11 comments
Pill Mill Bill McClure
April 18, 2023 at 3:17 pm
They know deep down that neither one of them has a chance in hell of winning seeing as Trump got annihilated in the 2020 election. He got annihilated so bad that there was mass delusional psychosis over the election being stolen! Might as well endorse the bigger loser. GOP has cooked its goose after the last 20 years of bad policy and performance. Not even the flawed winner take all system of electing a president can save them now. Why do you think there’s so much authoritarianism in the states? They have to stay relevant somehow. So basically there are just repeating their national failures on a state level and expecting better results. Pure genius.🤡
Jso retired
April 18, 2023 at 3:37 pm
John Rutherford is a good man!
John Rutherford (FL-05) is serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He sits on the House Ethics Committee and House Appropriations Committee, where he serves on three subcommittees: Homeland Security, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Transportation and Housing and Urban Development.
John has lived in Jacksonville, Florida since 1958, and attended Florida Junior College and Florida State University where he studied Criminology. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, 171st Session and the National Executive Institute. He began his career in law enforcement in 1974 as a patrolman in the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, working his way up through the JSO where he eventually served as Director.
In 2003, 2007, and 2011, John was elected Sheriff of Duval County. For three terms and twelve years, John ran a 3,200 employee office, and due to his effective leadership, homicide and overall violent crime in Jacksonville dropped to a 40-year low. Using a model of intelligence-led and community-based policing, John and his team of law enforcement professionals dramatically improved neighborhoods and prevented crime throughout the community. He also made the mental health component of the criminal justice system a priority, reducing the recidivism rates of the mentally ill and facilitating their treatment. John also served as Chair of the Legislative Committee for Florida Sheriff’s Association, where he advocated before the legislature for policies that strengthened constitutional rights, supported our law enforcement, and enhanced public safety across the state.
John has been happily married to his wonderful wife Pat for fifty years. They enjoy their two children, six grandchildren and great grandson, and they are also devoted members of Assumption Catholic Church in Jacksonville.
Pill Mill Bill McClure
April 18, 2023 at 4:35 pm
I didn’t say he wasn’t a good man. Good men can still have mistaken beliefs. Trumpism is a cancer and a delusion..a snake oil flim flam. He ran to cut his own taxes, shovel money to the rich, and boost his fetid brand. Money doesn’t trickle down!!
Illurion
April 18, 2023 at 5:46 pm
The one with the “mass delusional psychosis” is you.
Ocean Joe
April 18, 2023 at 7:27 pm
Looks like Fox will pay $867,000,000 to Dominion for its role in creating the mass delusional psychosis, but I know dead people voted, and at least 20 folks in Florida got arrested for voting illegally, and maybe, someday…Georgia will find those 11,780 votes “which is one more than we have.” It’s OK to cry, he not only tried to steal the election, he stole your GOP.
Beth
April 18, 2023 at 4:35 pm
Are Mr. Rutherford’s family members proud that he has endorsed a self proclaimed sexual predator who is a traitor to the United States? Will he be assisting him in his next coup attempt? . Trump and all his low life pathetic minions should be in prison.
illurion
April 18, 2023 at 5:47 pm
None of what you said is true.
The opposite is correct.
Ocean Joe
April 18, 2023 at 7:11 pm
“As a former Sheriff, I understand the importance of a fair and impartial system of justice. The systemic targeting of Americans with conservative ideals”
Does this mean cheating on your 3rd wife with a whore and then paying her off to stay quiet and then writing it off as a fraudulent business expense and pulling the money from an election fund in violation of campaign finance regulations are now CONSERVATIVE IDEALS?
Dont Say FLA
April 19, 2023 at 7:46 am
That mess is what Conservatism is all about. Every railing against some social topic from a Conservative can pretty well be interpreted as a confession. For example when they accuse people of going after little kids, they are just trying to limit the competition. With Florida Gov Rhonda’s Panties war on children (schools,books,gay,mickey mouse, all about children), one has to wonder: against what inner demon he is always struggling out loud?
James
April 18, 2023 at 10:28 pm
He isn’t a good man. Blatant attack on the capital As a Republican I don’t get it.
Sonja Fitch
April 19, 2023 at 3:32 am
Omg Rutherford is a racist and permitted JSO officers to harass black communities . Just cause his facade is serious and professional Rutherford is one of the worst Trumpers.
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