Politics is a rough game, but as candidate for Palm Beach County Sheriff, Mike Gauger found out there’s nothing like a hot mic to make it even rougher.
In a candidate forum on Zoom held by When We All Vote Palm Beach County Voting Squad, Gauger called his opponent Lauro Diaz a F&#%ing A*#%!@#
Gauger and Diaz are running for the Republican nomination to see who faces off against the current Sherrif Ric Bradshaw, a conservative Democrat who is considered the heavy favorite.
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I spoke to Gauger and asked him to send me a statement in writing
Thank you for the opportunity to explain the incident. Yes, those were my words, however they were never meant to be public. On a Zoom interview with “When We All Vote, Palm Beach County”, I was unable to log into Zoom with my I-pad and at the last minute transitioned to my mobile phone. It appeared that I was muted in between my responses and my video was not on screen. In a quiet room by myself, I listened to my opponent, Diaz, misrepresent his history and mine. Thinking I was alone and not on the Zoom, I muttered to myself, “fucking asshole.” It was never met for publication on Zoom or for anyone else to hear what my personal thoughts were. It was the frustration of his falsehoods that triggered my personal thought to myself. When I realized my mistake, I contacted the moderator and woman who arranged the event and apologized. It is not how I act in public or something I would do in anger.
~Candidate for Palm Beach County Sheriff Michael Gauger.
Hot mic moments happen, but Gauger’s opponent, Diaz, had a different take on the outburst.
Mike Gauger cannot handle criticism, tell the truth, control his ego, and be honest with the citizens.
~Lauro Diaz, Republican Candidate for Palm Beach County Sheriff
Gauger did take a beating on X where attorney and law enforcement activist Erin Elmore posted:
🚨🚨🚨Palm Beach County Voters: Watch this clip of Gauger for Sheriff calling his opponent a f***ing a**hole. Gauger can’t stay calm during a conversation. He’s unfit to protect our community! President Trump lives here and is protected by the Sheriff! We can’t allow him to win! pic.twitter.com/4NLLTikrH5
— Erin Elmore, Esq. (@ErinElmore) July 25, 2024
The video has been circulating around the media world all day. I received it from three different sources. Watch the video and let us know what you think in the comment section.
Primary election day is August 20th, and the voters will decide who should face off against Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.
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