Florida Congressional Candidate Condemned Over Antisemitic Ad

A Florida candidate's antisemitic attacks on his opponent has drawn condemnation from both Republicans and Democrats.

Florida Republican Dan Bilzerian is challenging incumbent Republican Congressman Randy Fine in the 6th congressional district. In a recent ad and online postings Blizerian has referred to Fine as a "fat Jew," "Shylock" and "satanic whore," the New York Post noted. He also wondered whether it was worth revisiting Adolf Hitler's "opinions."

The Times of Israel reported that the ad also accused Fine of "raping kids" and that Fine viewed constituents as "goyim cattle." There was also an image of Fine sprouting horns.

"The vile attack ads against Congressman Randy Fine in Florida's 6th District are disgusting and should be condemned by all political leaders on the Right and Left," House Speaker Mike Johnson, R. La., said. "Antisemitism and outward hatred of Jewish communities have no place in our politics or in America, and we will continue to call them out wherever they arise."

Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies, D-New York, joined Johnson in condemning Bilzerian: "The hateful campaign being run by Daniel Bilzerian in Florida is blatantly antisemitic and shocks the conscience. People of goodwill regardless of political affiliation must reject his vile attacks on the Jewish community. This cannot and will not stand."

Fine won a special election last year to replace Mike Waltz, who resigned from Congress to become U.S. United Nations ambassador. Earlier this year, Fine also faced condemnation from Jeffries over statements Fine made regarding Muslims.

ABC News reported that in February, in the aftermath of Zohran Mamdani becoming mayor, Palestinian activist Nerdeen Kiswani wrote on social media, "Finally NYC is coming to Islam. Dogs definitely have a place in society, just not as indoor pets." In response, Fine wrote, "If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one."

In a social media post before he joined Congress, Fine wrote on X in reference to humanitarian aid trucks for Gaza: "Stop the trucks. Let them eat rockets. There are plenty of those."

Those and other comments by Fine brought condemnation by Jeffries in February of this year: "Randy Fine is a disgrace to the United States Congress. He is an Islamophobic, disgusting and unrepentant bigot. It is unacceptable that Mike Johnson and House Republicans continue to remain silent. Their casual acceptance of hateful and divisive language enables this out-of-control behavior. Republican leaders must hold this so-called Member of Congress accountable."