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A veteran Air Force pilot lays the groundwork to challenge scandal-stricken Congressman Matt Gaetz in the Republican primary for the first congressional district in Florida.
The pilot, Bryan Jones, serves as operations director for flyhalf 2 of Florida’s headquarters at Hurlburt Field.
A primary challenge for Gaetz will be continuing the congressman’s problems. In just a few short weeks, Gaetz has transitioned from a sincere and pugilistic Trump ally to someone deeply trapped in a damaging scandal now being investigated by authorities over alleged sex trafficking.
Jones is advised by consultants from New Politics, a dual consulting firm specializing in the recruitment and strengthening of eligible civil servants. Jones is a CV-22 Osprey pilot for the National Air Force.
Jones is also co-owner of a crossfit gym in Florida. His background can be well received by voters in the district, who have a large number of service members.
“I believe this is the most veteran of any congressional district and active duty in the country,” said Michael Joffrion, a senior campaign adviser to New Politics and a veteran Republican strategist. Joffrion advises Jones on his possible candidacy.
According to the consultants he works with, Jones plans to run for the seat, although a fixed timeline for the announcement has not been set.
Last Friday, the House of Representatives ‘ethics committee opened an ethical inquiry into Gaetz over allegations that he engaged in’ sexual misconduct and / or illegal drug use, sharing inappropriate images or videos on the house floor, abuse of state identification’s. records, conversion of campaign funds used. for personal use, and / or accept bribes, improper gratuity or inadmissible gift ”.
The ethics committee’s inquiry is the latest in the bizarre unraveling of Gaetz’s political career. Gaetz is also the target of an investigation into the Justice Department into violating sex trafficking laws.
Joffrion said he expects the legal investigations will hurt Gaetz’s chances of re-election and create an opening for a Republican primary challenger. “I do,” Joffrion said. ‘Absolutely.’
Joffrion said he would not be surprised if more candidates entered the Republican or Democratic primary for Gaetz’s seat, given the legal questions surrounding the current legislature.
‘Let’s be honest, politics is a dog-eat-dog world and I would not be shocked with as vulnerable as not [Gaetz] “other candidates saw it as an opportunity to go ahead and get elected and do it,” Joffrion said. “I would not be surprised at all.”
Jones’ interest in running increased after the mob attack on the Capitol in Washington DC on January 6. Hours after the attack, Gaetz defends Trump against criticism that he incited the assault.
“With everything that happened on January 6, it really spurred Bryan into action – ‘look, it’s ridiculous, I have to do it. “I think I represent the traditional Republican values better than Gaetz does,” Joffrion said.
Gaetz stressed his innocence, arguing that all the investigations against him were part of an attempt by his political enemies to undermine him.
The Florida congressman has been haunted by members of his own party, often in defense of some of Trump’s most bizarre and unfounded allegations.
In a Congress where Democrats hold razor-sharp majorities in the House and Senate, a vulnerable member of Congress like Gaetz would be a ripe target for both Republicans and Democrats. But Gaetz’s district is ruby red and has been a reliable Republican for decades, and a Republican primary challenger is more likely to oust Gaetz than a Democrat.
New politics was initially connected to Jones through his leadership academy.