Florida Republicans are facing a wave of outrage after the Palm Beach County GOP included suspended Clerk of Courts Mike Caruso in its voter guide despite his arrest on allegations that he sexually abused a young child.
Caruso, 68, has pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence. He told the Miami Herald that he remains a candidate for clerk and comptroller and “intend[s] to win” the November election.
But on Florida’s overwhelmingly liberal subreddit, the reaction was less surprise than weary disbelief.
“This is totally on brand,” one commenter wrote, summing up a thread packed with anger, sarcasm and eye-rolling at what users portrayed as yet another ugly episode involving Republican politics.
Caruso was arrested in August and charged with lewd or lascivious molestation, kidnapping, lewd or lascivious exhibition, child abuse, and luring or enticing a child. The allegations involve a male relative who was under five at the time.
At a later bond hearing, prosecutors also disclosed allegations from a female who says Caruso molested her when she was four.
A judge ultimately released Caruso on bond, saying the state’s case contained weaknesses and might not be proven. Prosecutors objected.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, who had appointed Caruso to the clerk’s job one year earlier, suspended him immediately after the arrest.
Florida Liberlas Were Not Buying the Excuse
The local Republican Party says its continued involvement is rooted in party obligations. Palm Beach County Republican Chairman Carl Cascio said the committee has the “power and duty” under state law and party rules to campaign for Republican nominees. Caruso declined to withdraw, leaving his name on the ballot.
That explanation went down badly on Reddit.
One commenter mocked the justification with: “It’s in the RULES, ok??!!” Another replied simply: “Yeah? So where’s the news there?”
Others described the endorsement as “on brand” and “a feature not a bug,” language reflecting a broader belief within the heavily left-leaning thread that Republican scandals have become predictable rather than shocking.
That is political reaction, not proof of wrongdoing. Caruso has not been convicted, and he continues to deny the accusations.
Still, the optics are undeniably brutal. His campaign website is down, recent contributions were refunded, and DeSantis has already suspended him. Yet the Palm Beach GOP still placed him before Republican voters.
Democrat Yvette Drucker is running against Caruso in November. If Caruso wins, DeSantis could suspend him again.
For angry Florida Redditors, though, the strangest part was not that the story happened. It was how unsurprised they seemed to be.
