- December 20, 2024
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Former Flagler County Commissioner Joe Mullins announced on a local radio show that he would run for Rep. Mike Waltz’ seat once Waltz resigns to become President-elect Donald Trump’s national security advisor.
Waltz, who was just reelected to Florida’s District 6 in the U.S. House of Representatives during the Nov. 5 election, was announced as Trump’s pick for the position on Nov. 11. On Nov. 15, during Flagler Broadcast Radio’s Free For All Friday, host David Ayres asked Mullins during a phone interview if Mullins was planning to run for the seat.
“I'm officially throwing my name in the hat. I’m very excited,” Mullins said. “I’m looking forward to fighting the battle and bringing a lot of money and a lot of new stuff back to our community and our area.”
Waltz was first elected to the District 6 seat in 2019, which represents the east Central Florida area, from Palm Coast to Daytona Beach to west to Ocala. In a statement posted to his Instagram account, Waltz wrote: “Together with President Trump and his team, we will confront the evolving challenges to today’s world and hold firm against those who would harm our way of life.”
When Waltz resigns, a special election would need to be held to fill the seat. Mullins said on the radio show that he “absolutely” was planning to run for the seat.
“If you think about it, this is the year of the comebacks,” Mullins said, referring to Trump’s victory in the presidential election.
Mullins was controversial figure on the commission and lost his 2022 reelection bid to Commissioner Leann Pennington.
Earlier that year, Mullins had told a Florida State Trooper “I run the county” when he was pulled over for speeding. During early voting in August 2022, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the Flagler County library after an argument ensued between Mullins and a fellow commissioner’s wife. Mullins was also known for having used profane and controversial language during commission meetings and on social media.
“I never claimed to be perfect,” Mullins said. “But at the end of the day, I'll work hard for my community, as I've always done.
During the show, Mullins also announced he was in the process of filing lawsuits against individuals and some media, including local news website FlaglerLive.com. Both he and his businesses had been “under attack,” he said.
He went on to say that one of his businesses was working on refinancing with a bank when someone began sending letters to the bank, telling them to look further into Mullins and referencing FlaglerLive’s articles on Mullins. Mullins called it “tortious interference” of a contract.
“We found out who did it. We know who's done it, and we actually are about to file some lawsuits,” Mullins said. “We’re already in the process of doing it.”
