Kevin Cichowski, Republican candidate for governor of Florida, arrested on charges of domestic violence

The Republican candidate for governor of Florida, Kevin Cichowski was arrested after being accused of assaulting two elderly people in an incident that occurred in Flagler County, local authorities reported.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Cichowski, 46, faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, assault on persons over 65 years of age, witness tampering and robbery by snatching.. The authorities indicated that the events occurred last Friday in a home, where he allegedly attacked the victims using a cane and throwing a cell phone.

According to the official report, one of the victims managed to communicate with the emergency services and reported that the suspect also threatened to kill them.in addition to warning that he would attack the agents if they intervened. Upon arriving at the scene, the officers found the victims hiding in a room, one of them unable to move because she was bedridden.

Detention under stress and criminal record

Footage captured by body cameras shows the moment when officers confront Cichowski with weapons drawnordering him to get on the ground before proceeding to handcuff him. He was later transferred to a detention center.

During his arrest, authorities indicated that the accused made suicidal comments.so he was admitted under the Baker Act, which allows involuntary psychiatric evaluation in the state.

The case does not represent the politician’s first upright incident. In 2024, he had already been arrested on charges related to domestic violenceincluding strangulation and illegal deprivation of liberty.

Cichowski had announced his intention to compete in the Republican primary scheduled for August 18, in a race that seeks to define the successor of the former governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, who cannot be re-elected due to term limits.

Within the Republican Party, the main favorite is Congressman Byron Donalds, publicly endorsed by former President Donald Trump. On the Democratic side, former congressman David Jolly and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings stand out.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly praised the officers’ actions, stressing that their intervention prevented a possible escalation of violence and made it possible to rescue the victims from a high-risk situation.

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