Lake County Commissioner Anthony Sabatini ignited a wave of backlash and debate this weekend after posting a sharply worded critique of Congressman Byron Donalds during the Republican Liberty Caucus dinner in Brevard County. In a Facebook post that quickly circulated across political circles, Sabatini dismissed Donalds’ speech as “one of the top 3 most boring” he’s ever heard in politics, calling it “cold as a dead fish” and “extremely Bush era.”
Sabatini, who served alongside Donalds in the Florida House, claimed the congressman lacked the “populist energy that now animates the Right,” and urged for a new candidate to enter the governor’s race—suggesting Rep. Matt Gaetz as a potential alternative.
“We need somebody else to get in this race immediately because Byron is just not the right guy at this moment for Florida,” Sabatini wrote.
🔥 Reaction from Party Members
The post drew mixed reactions from Republican insiders. Some praised Sabatini’s bluntness, while others criticized the tone as unnecessarily divisive and disrespectful toward a fellow conservative. Donalds, who has been floated as a rising star within the GOP, has not publicly responded to the remarks.
Political analysts note that Sabatini’s comments reflect deeper tensions within Florida’s Republican base, where traditional conservatism is increasingly challenged by populist and anti-establishment voices.
📍 Sabatini’s Broader Political Moves
The Facebook post comes just days after Sabatini was involved in a separate controversy at a Lake County Republican Party meeting in Leesburg, where he and others were reportedly barred from entering. That incident led to allegations of battery, a pending lawsuit, and further scrutiny of Sabatini’s confrontational style.
As the 2026 election cycle approaches, Sabatini’s outspoken approach continues to draw attention—both supportive and critical—from across the political spectrum.
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