July 17, 2024
Florida House District 3 Representative Joel Rudman this morning submitted paperwork, asking to dismiss a court case he filed July 12 against South Santa Rosa News’ Publisher Romi White. Rudman’s request came after evidence emerged yesterday, alleging Rudman made a June 20 gun threat connected to the case.
Legal documents allege Rudman vocalized a gun threat after reading a June 20 South Santa Rosa News opinion piece which stated: “During his first term, Rudman actively worked with Democrats and community agitators. He was only able to get 4 of 14 of his sponsored bills passed and did a DISASTROUS job carrying funding back home across the finish line this session.”
Subsequently, Rudman placed a June 20 call to a fellow politician, whose July 17 affidavit states, “It was evident from his voice and tone that he was crying.” The affiant stated Rudman then referred to South Santa Rosa News Publisher Romi White as a “terrorist” before saying “I have a gun in my drawer, and I’m not sure what I’m going to do.”
The affiant stated: “Because Rudman was crying it sounded over the phone as if Rudman’s voice choked up, and he did not fully complete the sentence he’d intended to say. Because he did not complete his sentence, I was not sure whether he was referring to committing suicide or harming Romi White.”
The affiant went on to state they did not believe Rudman was making a credible threat due to making “outlandish and dramatic statements over the past two years.”
Rudman, per the affiant, also said on June 20 to “find someone else to run in this seat or I’m going to give it to the f****** Democrat.” Rudman is facing Democrat Keith Gillum.
White issued the following statement this afternoon:
“Rep. Rudman’s behavior has become increasingly unstable over the past few months. He has overreacted to fact-based criticism over his lackluster performance representing District 3 and resorted to spreading lies and attempting to misuse the justice system against me. He also threatened political candidates, stating he would endorse their opponents if they didn’t pull their advertising with South Santa Rosa News. However, Rudman referring to a gun in his drawer and being “not sure” what he was going to do is deeply disturbing and worrisome.”
