Incumbent Congressman Randy Fine has lost the endorsement of Mike Chitwood, the sheriff of Volusia County. The decision from Chitwood to withdraw his endorsement comes after a comment from Fine saying that dogs are preferable to Muslim Americans.
Chitwood was one of five sheriffs in Florida’s 6th congressional districts who endorsed Fine in the 2026 congressional election. Sheriff Rick Staly of Flagler County never gave a written endorsement, though Fine’s campaign appeared to falsely claim that he did. In explaining his decision, Chitwood stated that “I’ve watched [Fine] head down a path I just can’t follow”.
Randy Fine’s tweet that created this latest round of controversy was one where he said: “If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one.” The statement was immediately derided as Islamophobic, a label which Fine has readily admitted to and embraced in the past.
On Thursday morning, Chitwood took to his personal Facebook page to announce his decision to withdraw his endorsement of Fine. He explained that he’s had good experiences working with Fine in the past, and drew parallels between the two officials’ blunt communication style. But he also acknowledged the inhumane nature of Fine’s sentiments toward Muslims, as well as Palestinian civilians in the Gaza war.
“I realize now that the Congressman’s passionate rhetoric has crossed lines in the past,” Chitwood wrote. “Beyond his latest controversy, I cannot endorse wishing for kids in Gaza to starve, or for Muslim American citizens to be expelled from the U.S.”
“I hope the Congressman reconsiders his positions, but I can no longer support or endorse his campaign to speak for all of us in the House of Representatives,” Chitwood said to conclude his statement. He stopped short of endorsing one of Fine’s Republican primary opponents or one of the candidates from other parties currently running for the seat.
Randy Fine’s Response
Later Thursday morning, Chitwood made a followup post indicating he’d spoken with Fine. He called the conversation ‘frank and honest’. He then added a statement which he says Fine asked him to share.
“I respect Sheriff Chitwood and every thing he’s done to keep Volusia County safe, no matter your religious faith,” Fine said per Chitwood. “We agree that no one should face discrimination for who they are and that no one should be able to use their faith to force their values on others. We both speak our minds and that’s what friends do. I will always support his work and the job the men and women of the VCSO do day in and day out and look forward to continuing to partner with him as your Congressman.”
The Greater Context
The tone of Fine’s response is a sharp pivot from his previous rhetoric toward Muslim Americans. As alluded to by Chitwood, Fine has called for even legal Muslim Americans to be deported from the United States on the basis of their religion. In December he called for ‘mainstream Muslims’ to be destroyed, even going so far as to clarify he wasn’t speaking merely about radical Islamic militants with his sentiment. Fine’s comment has been called ‘genocidal’, and he’s faced calls to resign in recent weeks.
After facing initial criticism for dehumanizing Muslims as lesser than dogs, Fine doubled down. He posted a version of the Gadsden flag with the snake replaced with a golden retriever. On Tuesday he shared a further response during an interview on Newsmax. “My post was in response to a major Muslim leader saying dogs should be forbidden from New York City because to some Muslims it bothers them,” he said. “If they’re going to make us choose between our dogs and them going home, the choice is easy.”
The author of the tweet which Fine was responding to is Nerdeen Kiswani, a pro-Palestinian activist in New York City. She later said that her statement was ‘obviously a joke’.
Randy Fine faces two declared Republican primary opponents in the 2026 election: Palm Coast City Councilman and brigadier general Charles Gambaro, as well as Sorrento-based Republican Aaron Baker. Four Democrats have also declared: Jennifer Jenkins, Ronnie Murchinson-Rivera, James Stockton, and Eric Yonce.
Other Responses
Many notable political figures have responded to Randy Fine’s Islamophobic tweet. Multiple candidates running against Randy Fine for Florida’s 6th congressional district seat have condemned Fine and praised Sheriff Chitwood’s decision to rescind his endorsement.
“Thank you to Sheriff Mike Chitwood for withdrawing his endorsement of a seriously flawed candidate,” Gambaro said. “Sheriff Chitwood has chosen principles over politics and it is for this same reason that I am running to represent my fellow neighbors in Congress.”
Jennifer Jenkins also acknowledged Chitwood’s decision. “A few days ago we called on the Sheriff’s who endorsed Randy Fine to comment on his bigoted remarks. Today Mike Chitwood rescinded his endorsement.”
“Sheriff Chitwood rescinding his endorsement of Randy Fine is the right move,” added Eric Yonce. “This rhetoric isn’t new, but it is clearly escalating, and people across our communities are feeling the impact of that. When public figures keep turning up the heat, it affects the tone of our district. I appreciate Sheriff Mike Chitwood for recognizing that and putting the community first. That kind of leadership matters. I hope this moment gives others in positions of leadership a chance to reflect as well. There’s still time to follow that example and choose unity over division. Our district deserves better than the continued divisiveness of Randy Fine.”
The top Democrat in the House, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, sharply critiqued Fine. “Randy Fine is a disgrace to the United States Congress,” he said. “He is an Islamophobic, disgusting and unrepentant bigot.”
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.
