On Saturday night, U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) was assaulted by a 41-year-old woman named Selena J. Chambers while attending a private event with his wife in Sandestin, Florida, according to a press release.
Walton County officers arrested Chambers and charged her with one count of battery on an elected official and one count of battery, to touch or strike.
The suspect, a registered Democrat and self-described member of the “Resistance,” is a resident of Tallahassee, Florida.
Chambers reportedly “intentionally threw a glass of wine at Representative Gaetz after shouting obscenities at him,” according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, and was “charged with battery on an elected official and issued a $1,000 bond.”
In response to the incident, Rep. Gaetz released a statement and addressed the arrest of Ms. Chambers during his podcast “Firebrand.”
He stated, “I will never allow the safety of Northwest Floridians to be compromised. I will be pressing charges against this individual in order to uphold the civility our community deserves.”
Gaetz also expressed his gratitude to the local law enforcement, saying, “Thank you to the Walton County Sheriff’s office for taking swift action.”
The Congressman’s decision to press charges highlights the importance of maintaining civil discourse and safety in the political sphere.
