Rep. Meg Weinberger (R-Palm Beach Gardens) has formally endorsed Republican Jon Maples in his bid for Florida House District 87, the Maples campaign announced on Wednesday.
Maples, a career financial planner, outlined his plans if elected to the seat in an interview with The Floridian back in May. Like Weinberger, Maples has described himself as a supporter of President Donald Trump and his America First agenda.
“Jon Maples is a conservative, Pro-Trump, America-First patriot,” Weinberger said. “He is the ally I need to help fight for President Trump’s agenda, and continue advancing pro-America, pro-Florida, and pro-Palm Beach County policies in Tallahassee. Republican voters in District 87 can count on Jon’s background, professional experience, values, and conservative convictions as he fights for our community in Tallahassee. I am proud to endorse his candidacy for State House.”
HD 87 covers portions of Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter, along with coastal communities from Juno Beach to Hypoluxo in Palm Beach County.
“Representative Weinberger has earned a reputation for being an effective leader who delivers for Palm Beach County,” Maples said. “I admire her steadfast conservative values, her heart for helping others, and her tireless work to advance the Trump Agenda in Tallahassee. I am honored to have her endorsement.”
Rep. Michael "Mike" Caruso (R-Delray Beach) currently represents HD 87. His wife, Tracy Caruso, is looking to replace him in the seat.
The Carusos are friends with Gov. Ron DeSantis. Maples is MAGA, and now has Meg “MAGA Meg” Weinberger in his corner.
Tracey Caruso, whom DeSantis appointed to the Palm Beach State College District Board of Trustees in June, recently attacked Trump-backed Congressman Randy Fine in a post after the congressman insinuated Gov. Ron DeSantis was antisemitic to The Floridian.
The post's picture included a caricature, presumably of Rep. Fine, with the Jewish Star of David on its T-shirt. Fine is one of the few Jewish Republicans in Congress.
Some could argue the attack is antisemitic. On the other hand, Caruso could just be defending her friend from Fine's comments.
Regardless, a Trump-DeSantis proxy could be brewing between Maples and Caruso in Palm Beach County. We already may have one between Congressman Byron Donalds and Lt. Gov Jay Collins in the gubernatorial race, so why not another?
