On January 27, U.S. Rep Randy Fine’s re-election campaign released a statement claiming all six sheriffs in Florida’s 6th congressional district had endorsed him for re-election. The release included written quotes from each sheriff with one exception: Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly.
“All six sheriffs across Florida’s 6th Congressional District have officially endorsed Congressman Randy Fine for re-election, praising his steadfast support for law enforcement and public safety throughout their communities,” the campaign statement read.
Five other sheriffs provided explicit endorsements of Fine: Mike Chitwood (Volusia County), H.D. ‘Gator’ DeLoach (Putnam County), Peyton Grinnell (Lake County), Robert Hardwick (St. Johns County), and Billy Woods (Marion County). All five of these, plus Staly, are listed as having endorsed Fine on the campaign website.
Did Rick Staly Endorse Randy Fine?
Sheriff Rick Staly has endorsed Randy Fine in the past. He did so in 2025, when Fine was running in a special election for Florida’s 6th congressional district. The Fine campaign has not produced any instance where Staly indicated he’d be endorsing again for 2026.
Because the campaign claimed that all six sheriffs endorsed Fine for re-election (2026 is Fine’s only congressional re-election campaign so far), their claim applies only to the 2026 congressional election. Had the campaign merely been advertising Staly’s past support, it would be inaccurate to describe it as a re-election endorsement.
Under Florida Statute 106.143(4), the claim of a political endorsement is illegal “unless the person or organization so represented has given specific approval in writing to the candidate to make such representation”. Exceptions apply only for editorial endorsements by media outlets and party committees endorsing their own nominated candidates.
Rick Staly Clears the Air
Rick Staly was contacted about whether he’d endorsed Fine yet again. He said that he was not participating in the 2026 election as he had in 2025. “I endorsed Congressman Fine in 2025 and I have not revoked any prior endorsement,” Staly said. “I will not take an active role in the 2026 congressional election as it would be a conflict of interest as one of his opponents votes on my contract with the City of Palm Coast.”
One of Randy Fine’s Republican primary opponents is Charles Gambaro, a current member of the Palm Coast City Council. Because the City Council votes on a service contract with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Staly decided it would be improper to involve himself in the ongoing congressional election.
Objectively speaking, Rick Staly did not endorse Randy Fine for re-election despite claims to the contrary by the Fine campaign. Staly did not respond to follow-up questions.
Randy Fine’s Campaign Responds
The apparent discrepancy between the Fine campaign and Rick Staly’s claims does not prove wrongdoing from any party. The wording of the campaign’s announcement could have been the result of a miscommunication or a mistake made in good faith. Still, the campaign maintains this was not the case. They remain steadfast that their claim is accurate.
A campaign spokesman was initially asked if there was a quote from Staly that could be cited, as there was for the other five sheriffs and as would be required under Florida law. Their response was as follows: “Rep. Fine is grateful for the endorsement of all six sheriffs in the district, including Sheriff Staly, as well as the full and complete endorsement of President Donald J. Trump.”
The spokesman was then informed that Sheriff Staly denied involving himself in the 2026 congressional race. Again, they reaffirmed Staly had endorsed Fine, though their exact wording appears to allow the possibility they’re referring to the 2025 endorsement.
“We again confirmed the Sheriff sees no problem with us sharing his endorsement of Rep. Fine. The press release is accurate,” the spokesman said. “We will continue to make clear to voters that all six sheriffs in the district, along with President Trump, endorse Rep. Fine.”
As for the first portion of this quotation, Sheriff Staly has given no indication he plans to disavow the Fine campaign’s recent claims.
Multiple requests for elaboration on the claim that the campaign “again confirmed” Staly okayed the endorsement have gone unanswered as of Friday.
Sheriff Staly may potentially have privately authorized the campaign to advertise his endorsement in 2026. If that were the case, Staly’s own claim would be false and the campaign would be correct. While that remains a possibility, no supporting evidence that this is the case has been provided by the Fine campaign.
Chris Gollon is a Flagler County resident since 2004, as well as a staple of the local independent music scene and avid observer of Central Florida politics, arts, and recreation.
