Supporters in Matt Gaetz's Old District Stand by Him Despite New Allegations

In the wake of new allegations against Congressman Matt Gaetz, some supporters in his former Florida district are backing him up. Sandra L. Atkinson, a former Republican Party chair from Okaloosa County, called Gaetz a "darn good congressman" and said he never let critics, whom she referred to as "haters, " distract him. Gaetz served the Florida Panhandle's First District from 2017 until last month. The latest report by the House Ethics Committee has sparked both criticism and support. Some Democrats and Republicans have long criticized Gaetz for his attention-grabbing stunts. Patti Gallion Bergstrom, a retired broadcast journalist who leans Democrat, believes Gaetz "shouldn’t even be on the streets. " Similarly, Gay Valimont, a Democrat who ran against Gaetz, labeled him a "fraud. " However, Gaetz retains notable support among Florida Republicans. Some question why the committee is scrutinizing Gaetz, given the Justice Department investigation didn’t lead to any charges.