John Rutherford responds to skipped-vote smear as wife fights for her life

U.S. Rep. John Rutherford missed a vote to formally censure Virgin Islands Delegate Stacey Plaskett this week, but he had perhaps the ultimate of valid reasons.

The fourth-term Republican and former three-term Jacksonville Sheriff was by the side of his wife Pat in her time of greatest need, missing a vote that he says would have been an “easy yes” as scrutiny grows over Plaskett’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein. 

But he was with his wife of 53 years instead.

“As I sit at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Jacksonville with my wife who is battling lung cancer, I can’t describe my disappointment reading claims made by a few of my ‘friends’ in the House that I missed a vote on the Plaskett matter due to my involvement in some made up ‘deal’ for another Republican member of the House,” he posted to social media.

Rutherford stops short of naming names as he continues.

“These colleagues could have easily called me to ask why I missed some of the votes this week. Instead, they trashed my character in the media and denounced me. I expect that my true friends who did this, and who now know I was home supporting my wife and family, will now personally and publicly apologize,” he added.

Enemies also attacked Rutherford during his family’s time of struggle.

Quote tweeting a vote tally showing Rutherford didn’t vote, his Primary opponent, Mark Kaye, a frequent Newsmax guest and podcaster, urged the Congressman to “RETIRE.”

“This isn’t the first time Rutherford has done this, and it won’t be the last. We need NEW LEADERSHIP! We need a new Representative who will fight for conservatives, not Jeffrey Epstein and his cronies,” Kaye claims.

The incumbent has faced Primaries consistently.

In 2022 and 2024, he got roughly 2/3 of the vote against conservative populist Mara Macie.

But coming into the 2026 Election, his greatest challenge is not political.