Gene Valentino, who is running for former Rep. Matt Gaetz's Florida seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, told Newsmax on Tuesday that the mass deportations happening in the early days of President Donald Trump's administration are "absolutely essential."
Valentino made the comments from Pensacola, Florida, on the day of the special Republican primary to replace Gaetz in the state's 1st Congressional District. Tuesday's winner is the heavy favorite to win the April 1 special election in the conservative-heavy district.
Valentino joined "Newsline" to discuss how his vision aligns with that of Trump and the president's border czar, Tom Homan, who endorsed Valentino in the 10-person GOP field.
"The whole MAGA agenda, which includes, Bianca, the deporting issue is absolutely essential. We in the last four years were at the verge of losing our nation with all this crazy, treasonous behavior. And it's got to stop," Valentino told host Bianca de la Garza.
"We're excited to get into Congress to support the national MAGA agenda," Valentino said.
Valentino, a former commissioner for Escambia County, Florida, had high praise for Homan and his work cracking down on illegal immigration.
"Tom's a grassroots guy. He's a no-nonsense guy. And he told me firsthand that even before the inauguration on January 20th, Tom was getting out to do some yeoman things. What a patriot," Valentino said. "Hundreds of thousands of people on the front line and behind the scenes, working to protect our border even before Donald Trump" took office.
"That's the kind of guy we want protecting our border because he's absolutely supporting Donald Trump, just as I am when I get into office as your next United States congressman," he added.
Valentino, who has run several successful businesses and was the founding CEO of Cellular One, the pioneering cell phone company, has his work cut out for him against GOP frontrunners Jimmy Patronis, Joel Rudman, and Aaron Dimmock in the district. Trump endorsed Patronis to replace Gaetz.
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Mark Swanson ✉
Mark Swanson, a Newsmax writer and editor, has nearly three decades of experience covering news, culture and politics.
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