A.G. Gancarski
Crossing party lines, a Senate candidate who went down to defeat in August’s Democratic Primary is now backing the man who would have been his General Election opponent.
Rod Joseph, who got 5% support last month on his way to a fourth-place finish in the four-person field, now thinks the man who has represented Florida for the last six years merits another six.
“I am proud to announce that I am switching my Party affiliation to Republican and I am endorsing Senator Rick Scott in Florida’s U.S. Senate race,” Joseph said. “For far too long, the Democratic party has taken us immigrants for granted and used us as political pawns each election season. I call upon all my fellow Haitians to join me and re-elect the U.S. Senator Rick Scott to represent the state of Florida.”
Joseph then turned his attention to the woman who won the Democratic Primary race going away.
“Debbie Mucarsel-Powell and the rest of today’s Democratic Party are the Party of no visions and no plans,” Joseph added.
“I fought in combat to preserve the freedom that every Floridian and American holds dear, and I simply cannot support a candidate or political party that wants to implement an agenda that is against the norms and values of our society. I call upon all my fellow veterans to join me and vote for our rights and uphold the constitutional rights of all Americans. This is not about allegiance for a specific party, it is about the future of our country.”
Scott, whose campaign promulgated the endorsement, was gracious in acceptance.
“I appreciate Dr. Rod Joseph’s endorsement, and I look forward to earning more votes from Democrats who are fed up with how radical today’s Democrat party has become. As Floridians learn more about Debbie Mucarsel-Powell’s socialist record, they will keep her out of office once again,” the Naples Republican predicted.
24 comments
Adolf Biden
September 18, 2024 at 1:07 pm
Corrupt Ding bat Debbie, bought and paid for by Ihor Kolomoisky.
Ocean Joe
September 18, 2024 at 2:58 pm
Impeach, there is nobody more corrupt than your hero Ricky.
Joe
September 19, 2024 at 11:52 am
Morally corrupted RepubliQan voters, bought and paid for by the NRA, oil/gas lobby, Heritage Foundation, Federalist Society, and Leonard Leo himself.
MH/Duuuval
September 19, 2024 at 12:49 pm
Leo is taking a big cut of $$$ passing through his 501-c-4 hands thanks to PAClandia.
The Cat In The MAGA Hat
September 18, 2024 at 3:23 pm
Sellout,it obviously Joseph have not been following the news in Springfield Ohio
MarvinM
September 18, 2024 at 3:32 pm
I agree this seems incomprehensible given the truth that it is the Republicans at the top of the ticket knowingly spreading dangerous lies about the Haitian population in Springfield.
I did only a small amount of research but cannot find an original source of this information. I found only two reports – this one and one at a site called FloridaVoice which I haven’t been to before, so I don’t know anything about them. Their article contained no links and no indication of who the source was of the information.
We may all want to get our saltshakers out and have a few grains at the ready.
Brittany N.
September 18, 2024 at 3:47 pm
The title of this article should have been “A nobody who was never going to win anything endorses Rick Scott.” Rod Joseph is an opportunist, and a bad one at that. I think Florida Politics should look into his DOZENS of campaign finance violations. He may be a veteran, but he is not a good person.
Rod
September 23, 2024 at 6:38 pm
A look by your profile picture i decided not to entertain your stupidity, i been filling all my report since January of 2023 never once i have one returned for or rejected, typical losers make false and baseless accusations.
For a loser like you i am somebody, serving this nation for over 20 years a decorated veteran, til you know what all mean cry me a river i am an American Hero you are a nobody.
Deborah B. Ryan
September 18, 2024 at 4:00 pm
I am sorry he feels that way Democrats in Orange County were nothing but gracious and helpful to Mr. Joseph. He attended several events here in the Orlando area and he was treated with nothing but respect. Now, if he rejoins the Democratic Party will he be taken seriously.
Butt and beave
September 18, 2024 at 5:50 pm
I prefer Rick compared to deviants who like children ..for going abroad and deviants who throw their child into the streets and leave them crossing without anyone
Open borders
Tjb
September 18, 2024 at 6:35 pm
We need to thank trump for having his minions vote against a comprehensive bill for immigration control that was supported by the Border Patrol And many Republicans.
Again I want to thank trump for allowing the flood of immigrants into the USA. Diversity will MAGA
MH/Duuuval
September 18, 2024 at 9:51 pm
And, Trump has already separated families of asylum seekers, a trial run for mass deportation. (Separation and deportation enhance the lives of children involved.)
Victor Williams
September 18, 2024 at 7:24 pm
Than you Rod Joseph. You have saved the Democratic party the embarrasment of declaring you unfit to call yourself a Democrat. You deserve to be in the company of Rick Scott, a “do nothing Senator” who only serves business interests. May you wallow in your decision. What a great day to lose someone with no vision or no concern for the middle class or poor. Good ridance.
MarvinM
September 18, 2024 at 8:49 pm
So, while my comment above is in moderation (can’t think why. No links, no naughty words), I’ll just add this comment:
So far, I cannot find any credible corroboration of this story. Not saying it isn’t true. Just saying I’d like some links to the sources of this story.
MH/Duuuval
September 19, 2024 at 12:54 pm
It’s out there. To summarize: There was a crazy lady, presumably Black, who ate a cat somewhere in Ohio. This anecdote was put on the internet and then more widely broadcast by another Ohio woman who has now expressed regret. MAGAs placed the original event in Springfield and put the onus on Haitians who live and work there. Vance has backed away from the previous MAGA version of the story but on Sunday claimed he was using this as a tool to alert and inform MAGAs and other naive voters.
Michael Ruggiero
September 18, 2024 at 9:10 pm
I remember Rick Scott saying he wanted to get rid of social security . Anyone living on social security , as I am, would not vote for Rick Scott. Vote for Debbie.
Ghislaine Gibbs
September 18, 2024 at 9:25 pm
Rod Joseph as a Haitian lady I think you are despicable.
You are definitely not from the country of Toussaint Louverture,Dessalines ,Christophe.
I hope my fellows Haitians will reject you .
I have two veterans brothers.They know what honor means. But you don’t.
Ghislaine Gibbs
September 18, 2024 at 9:28 pm
Debbie all the way
Ghislaine Gibbs
September 18, 2024 at 9:31 pm
Rod Josep as an Haitian lady I am ashamed of you.
Don’t you follow the news?
MarvinM
September 19, 2024 at 12:34 am
I know it’s frustrating, but please keep perservering.
Try to get your message to him however you can.
I’m kind of in the vibe right now that if a story has no corroborating evidence, I don’t immediately believe, it and I certainly do not disseminate it. This is one of those stories.
I’d like to hear directly from Dr. Joseph if this position is true or not. If he says it is, then fine, that is what it is.
But right now it’s “somebody said he said” and the somebody is not even named. If there is corroborating evidence, then why the heck was it not supplied in the original article? Why am I having t ask for it?
Restituto Bihis
September 18, 2024 at 11:47 pm
You are right to be ashamed Rod Joseph. Haitians are disparaged by Trump and Vance. Are you proud to be a Republican when Vance wants the Haitians with TPS are considered illegals and have to be deported. What a shame to Rod Joseph.
Joe
September 19, 2024 at 11:49 am
The familiar tale of an American immigrant pulling up the ladder behind them to pursue short term gains among Florida RepubliQans who actually hate them.
I like how he calls himself “Dr. Rod” despite never receiving any doctorate.
MH/Duuuval
September 19, 2024 at 12:56 pm
Likely a theologian degree …
FLPatriot
September 23, 2024 at 8:42 am
We need a new rule that when a person decides to change parties, They immediately lose their seat and a new election takes place. It disenfranchises every voter that voted for that candidate.