Florida Democrat Arrested for Attack on Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) – Watch
A Democrat was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for attacking Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.).
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the report in a statement on Tuesday afternoon, saying that officers “responded to an incident at an event in Miramar Beach Saturday involving Representative Matt Gaetz.”
“A 41-year-old Tallahassee woman, Selena Chambers, was arrested after it was found she intentionally threw a glass of wine at Representative Gaetz after shouting obscenities at him,” police said. “She was charged with battery on an elected official and issued a $1,000 bond. She was released the following day.”
Gaetz later released a lengthy video statement saying that it was festival season right now in Northwest Florida, which he described as centering around seafood, art, culture, and wine.
“This past Saturday, my wife Ginger and I attended the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival at Grand Boulevard in Sandestin in Walton County, Florida, and we were enjoying catching up with new friends and old and folks recognized me and so we were taking pictures and having polite conversations,” he said. “And as I was chatting with one gentleman, a lady threw a drink on the both of us and she was promptly arrested.”
The attack on Gaetz is the latest in a series of violent incidents targeting Republican lawmakers. In January, a man was arrested for trying to assassinate Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.). In June, a man was arrested for threatening to kill Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).
These incidents have raised concerns about the safety of Republican lawmakers. Some Republicans have called for increased security for lawmakers, but Democrats have resisted these calls.
The attack on Gaetz is a reminder of the growing political polarization in the United States. The two major political parties are increasingly divided, and there is a growing amount of anger and resentment on both sides.
The @WCSOFL is confirming reports that our agency responded to an incident at an event in Miramar Beach Saturday involving Representative Matt Gaetz.
A 41-year-old Tallahassee woman, Selena Chambers, was arrested after it was found she intentionally threw a glass of wine at… pic.twitter.com/ZD9kalzjVM
— Walton Co. Sheriff (@WCSOFL) May 2, 2023