R.C. Pittman, a candidate for the Santa Rosa County Commission District 2 seat, this morning was ordered by law enforcement to leave the area outside the administrative building after he verbally accosted others, following today’s commission meeting.
Pittman during the meeting had expressed frustration that his name had been brought up during Tuesday’s board meeting.
Local watchdog Jerry Couey on Tuesday had spoken up to correct information shared by a poster Pittman had shared on social media. That poster shared content which contained false information about District 1 Commissioner Bobby Burkett’s 2024 campaign contributions.
Pittman said he would “still be here” after the meeting “if (Couey) wants to apologize to me.”
Pace resident Cindy Smith said after the meeting ended the crowd was walking out to their vehicles, and that Pittman was waiting outside on a bench. She said he began yelling at Couey and his wife, Carolyn, responded, asking him to leave people alone.
Smith started videotaping the argument, and Pittman can be heard telling Mrs. Couey to “shut up.” To which she replied, “Don’t tell me to shut up.”
At that point Pittman can then be heard challenging Couey to meet up elsewhere, adding,” That’s not a threat, it’s a promise.”
“Go, away! Disperse! Disperse! We’re not arguing out here,” stated a Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Deputy, who broke up the ruckus.
According to Smith, Mr. Couey kept a calm demeanor during the encounter. She said Pittman was the aggressor.
