Crist Campaign Manager Arrested in Domestic Violence Case Before Resigning: Report
MIAMI (FLV) – According to NBC News, Democrat gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist’s campaign manager was arrested in a domestic violence case the day before he parted ways the campaign.
NBC said they spoke with John Durrer, the former campaign manager, who reportedly acknowledged the arrest occurring in the dispute with the mother of his child.
Austin John Durrer, 43, was arrested early Tuesday on a second-degree misdemeanor assault charge following a dispute at a Cambridge, Maryland, home, according to online court records and the prosecutor in the case, Amanda Leonard, who read a probable cause affidavit to an NBC News reporter over the phone.
NBC News
“Very sadly, an incident took place this week at our home that we both regret. We are both working to drop legal charges and move forward,” a joint statement from Jackie Whisman, the mother of his child, said. “Our primary focus at this time is our daughter, our greatest joy, and we appreciate privacy and respect as we navigate this as a family.”
Whisman reportedly had “marks on her face from the dispute.”
The interim state’s attorney for Dorchester County told NBC that the alleged victim “indicated that there had been an argument that had turned physical with the father of her child who is identified as Austin Durrer. There were signs of physical injury to her face, consistent with what she reported.”
NBC reports that one Democrat they spoke with said Durrer left the campaign because of the arrest.
The manager departed the campaign just under three weeks from the 2022 election being held Nov. 8. They said he left because of a family matter, but did not elaborate.
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Rapid Response Director Christina Pushaw commented on Twitter saying, “I’ve never seen this happen 20 days before an election. I hope he is OK.”
Amidst NBC’s report, Pushaw lambasted ‘Florida Democrat media’ for purporting the ‘talking point’ that the reason for Durrer’s resignation was a family matter.
“Contrary to what @CharlieCrist‘s campaign spokesperson @Sam_RamirezQ claims, domestic violence isn’t just a ‘family matter’ … it is a criminal court matter. In this case, the charge is 2nd Degree Assault,” Pushaw said.”
“A few days ago, Charlie Crist’s campaign manager abruptly resigned. Crist’s campaign cited a ‘family matter.’ Florida Democrat media repeated this talking point. He was actually arrested for domestic violence assault. He’s awaiting trial in Maryland,” the DeSantis War Room said, reacting to the reports of Durrer’s arrest.
DeSantis and Crist are slated to face off in a debate on Monday, Oct. 24.
WPEC-TV’s website said the debate will be presented live at 7 p.m. and held at the Sunrise Theatre in Fort Pierce.
It was previously reported that DeSantis surpassed the gubernatorial fundraising record in September.
According to recent polls, the Republican is continuing to expand his lead over Democrat Charlie Crist.
