Mike Chitwood retracts endorsement of Randy Fine over anti-Muslim rhetoric

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood has pulled his endorsement of U.S. Rep. Randy Fine, citing recent controversial remarks about Muslims.

“I appreciate the good work Rep. Fine has done to protect our Jewish neighbors, but as Sheriff I just can’t turn a blind eye to the harm he’s doing to our Muslim community,” Chitwood posted on Facebook.

“In Volusia County, that community is small, but no less deserving of protection. They are our neighbors, business leaders, philanthropists, doctors, teachers and colleagues. I hope the Congressman reconsiders his positions, but I can no longer support or endorse his campaign to speak for all of us in the House of Representatives.”

Fine generated a national uproar most recently in a post saying he prefers dogs over Muslims.

“If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one,” Fine posted on his official X account this weekend. As of Thursday, the post had been viewed nearly 45 million times.

The Sheriff said he has worked with Fine on multiple issues, including the fight against antisemitism.

“The Randy Fine I knew during that fight was tenacious, blunt, and abrasive. Let’s just say I can identify with that,” Chitwood said.

Fine in January announced that all six Sheriffs in Florida’s 6th Congressional District were supporting his re-election. He first won election to Congress in a Special Election last year.

“We worked well together, and I endorsed Randy when he ran for Congress,” Chitwood confirmed in his post. “I gave him my support again this year because I appreciated how he fought for our community and for law enforcement. However, over the past several days I’ve watched him head down a path I just can’t follow.”

Chitwood said the decision was a long time coming. “I realize now that the Congressman’s passionate rhetoric has crossed lines in the past. Beyond his latest controversy, I cannot endorse wishing for kids in Gaza to starve, or for Muslim American citizens to be expelled from the U.S.”

Chitwood said he spoke with Fine after announcing his decision to withdraw his support. He disseminated a statement attributed to Fine, an Atlantic Coast Republican. The Congressman pointed to that statement when asked for comment.

“I respect Sheriff Chitwood and everything he’s done to keep Volusia County safe, no matter your religious faith,” the statement from Fine reads.

“We agree that no one should face discrimination for who they are and that no one should be able to use their faith to force their values on others. We both speak our minds and that’s what friends do. I will always support his work and the job the men and women of the VCSO (Volusia County Sheriff’s Office) do day in and day out and look forward to continuing to partner with him as your Congressman.”

Chitwood most recently won re-election as a registered independent but usually endorses Republicans. He is the latest figure from across the political spectrum to condemn Fine’s recent remarks.

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, called Fine a “bigot” and promised “accountability” if Democrats win a majority in November. The Council on American-Islamic Relations called for Fine’s resignation or, short of that, a censure. But Fine also sparked anger from national conservative figures, including influencer Megyn Kelly.

Republicans challenging Fine welcomed the Sheriff’s move.

“Thank you to Sheriff Mike Chitwood for withdrawing his endorsement of a seriously flawed candidate,” posted Republican Primary candidate Charles Gambaro. “Sheriff Chitwood has chosen principles over politics and it is for this same reason that I am running to represent my fellow neighbors in Congress.”

Aaron Baker, another Republican challenger, urged other Sheriffs in Florida’s 6th Congressional District to follow suit.

“I commend Sheriff Chitwood for standing up to Rep. Fine and his divisive rhetoric,” Baker posted on X. “I ask: Sheriff (Peyton) Grinnell (Lake), Sheriff (Billy) Woods (Marion), Sheriff (Gator) DeLoach (Putnam), Sheriff (Robert) Hardwick (St. Johns) to join Honorable Sheriff Chitwood and end the madness in our congressional district.”