Former 2-time failed congressional candidate Anthony ‘Lil Tony’ Sabatini (pictured with Gavin Rollins and Democrat John Morgan) is one of Florida’s most controversial political figures, who, believe it or not, is not running for the U.S. House of Representatives for the third consecutive election cycle.
Sabatini is like the Jasmine Crockett of Florida politics—little, with a bark, but no bite.
During his first run back in 2021, when he ran as a Trump candidate, Sabatini was trounced 18 percentage points by current Rep. Cory Mills (R).
Sabatini remained somewhat relevant in his primary election thanks to help from then-Rep. Matt Gaetz, who was doing his best to get President Donald Trump to endorse Sabatini’s congressional campaign.
After losing to Rep. Mills, Sabatini then ran for Congress in Florida’s CD 11 against now-retiring Rep. Dan Webster, and quit the race after President Trump endorsed the senior congressman.
Remember, Sabatini ran on the Trump agenda and did his best to garner the most coveted endorsement in Republican politics, but because Trump decided to endorse Rep. Webster instead, “Lil Tony” appears to have turned against the sitting President on the United States.
‘Lil’ Tony vs The World
The turn against Trump has been staggering, and the White House has taken notice.
Sabatini, who is now persona non grata with Team Trump, has gone so far as to call President Trump a coward, accuse him of betrayal, and refer to him and his administration as “weak.”
Not only has Sabatini questioned Trump’s policies, in particular on immigration and his decision to use military force against the Islamic Republic of Iran over their efforts to obtain a nuclear bomb, but the pint-sized consummate politician has attacked Trump-endorsed candidates, Reps. Cory Mills, Byron Donalds, Randy Fine, just to name a few. He has even targeted Susie Wiles, one of the most respected Republican operatives in America and one of Trump’s most trusted advisors and friends.
Bad move on his part. Dumb move. Idiotic move.
Like the White House and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), Republican members of Congress are looking to get behind any candidate to defeat Sabatini.
If Bugs Bunny, or any of his pals over at Looney Tunes were to run for Congress in this race, Republicans will back the rabbit over Sabatini.
The disdain for Sabatini runs that deep.
Is Sabatini feeling a little hurt and dejected over the Trump endorsement during the 2024 presidential election cycle?
The Floridian can confirm that the national Republican political apparatus is ready to pounce on Sabatini.
If you thought the $1.6 million that national Republicans dropped on his head back in 2022 was a lot of cash, just wait to see what could be spent against him in 2026.
The Villages and the Republican 'Boomer' Vote
In this congressional district, whoever wins over the “Baby Boomer” vote wins, so candidates need to court the senior citizen vote, show them their due respect, and not insult them.
Apparently, Sabatini did not get that ‘Do not insult Boomers’ memo.
In a recent social media post, Sabatini referred to Boomers as retards.
As our Jewish friends would say, “Oye Vey.”
From Democrat to RINO (Republican in Name Only)?
Sabatini likes to accuse anyone who does not side with his political reasoning and positions as a RINO (Republican in Name Only), but is he only deflecting away from himself?
Remember, The Floridian first broke the news and confirmed that Sabatini was once registered as a Democrat, and he voted in the 2012 Democratic presidential preference primary election, and in the general election.
What this means is that in 2012, Sabatini voted in the Democrat-only PPP election, and may have voted for Senators Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. Sabatini told The Floridian that he wrote in “JFK” and did not vote for either Obama or Clinton. READ MORE
Did Sabatini really write in “JFK” as he claims, or did he really vote for Obama or Clinton?
In case you were wondering if this is the same Sabatini who was the sole Republican lawmaker to join Progressive Democrats in the Florida House of Representatives in voting against Governor Ron DeSantis’ budget back in March 20 22, you would be right.
Antisemitism and Racism
With antisemitism and Jewish hate rising around the world at a disturbing pace, Sabatini has not made any blatant antisemitic remarks outside of condemning the U.S. war against Iran and attacking Jewish-American lawmaker Rep. Fine.
But, he does openly support known antisemites like Bilzerian, who dresses down Israel and Jews in general. Bilzerian recently dropped the 'N-word.'
"Is Jew the same as n*gger," asked Bilzerian in an interview with TMZ.
(6:02min)
Bilizerian, who is running against Rep. Fine in Florida’s 6th District, recently stated [Quote]
Interestingly enough, Bilzerian’s congressional campaign states Sabatini’s law office as his official campaign address. According to Sunbiz.org, Sabatini's law firm is registered at the same Mount Dora address.
Do birds of a feather really flock together?
The Challengers
A few names are being circulated as potential replacements for Rep. Webster, but could there be a potential Republican candidate with unquestionable conservative, "America First" bona fides waiting to enter the race?
We are hearing that a potential "America First" congressional candidate could check off all the boxes for a Trump endorsement.
A Trump endorsement will end the primary race.
