Palm Beach Co. Sheriff candidate takes another hit, accused of misleading voters on military service

Weeks before South Florida's primary election for sheriff, a new campaign ad is calling out a GOP candidate for lying about his military background.

Palm Beach County Sheriff candidate Michael Gauger made headlines after a heated microphone outburst during a virtual candidate forum caught him calling his opponent a “shithole.” Shocking the other candidates and coming under fire for the outburst, Gauger insisted he thought his microphone was turned off at the end of the Zoom call.

Now, Gauger is facing another firestorm of criticism as the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association PAC released a video ad accusing the Democrat-turned-Republican of being untruthful about his service record military

“My name is Michael Gauger. I have been a resident of Florida,” the Illinois native said in a clip shared by the PAC in the campaign announcement.

“After I was drafted, into the U.S. Army, I served my time there and came down here,” he said.

PBC Sheriff candidate Mike Gauger is trying to mislead voters about his military service during the Vietnam War. He was released before training camp.
This is not a “slip of the tongue”, but in speech after speech, many in the videos imply that he served his time in the military. FALSE! pic.twitter.com/RZpi7SvR5M

— JC (@BIGJKC79) July 26, 2024

“Mike Gauger wants you to believe he served in the US Army during the Vietnam War,” notes a narrator in the video ad. “The truth is, Gauger never served in the military, at all.”

The ad goes on to note that “official Army records” show that Gauger “went through an initial process and was discharged without basic training or any Army service.”

“And Gauger has been misleading Palm Beach County voters for months about his military service,” the video continues. “Leave it, Mr. Gauger.” Not only are you lying about your service, you are dishonoring the service of those who actually served their country.”

Although the campaign website doesn't mention U.S. military service, this wasn't the first speech Gauger gave to subtly imply that he had served.

At a Vietnamese event a day after former President Donald Trump's assassination attempt, Gauger spoke again about his “service.”

“I was lucky. I did it for 50 years and with military service,” he said before quoting Trump: “Never, ever give up.”

Challenges for the former Democrat-turned-Republican, who spent decades at the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office before retiring in 2021, multiplied after he appeared to have placed himself during a virtual forum of Zoom candidates. His main Republican opponent, Bartow Police Cpt. Lauro Díaz was the recipient of the outburst.

Gauger appeared to be visibly angry during Diaz's remarks and when the candidate finished speaking, he declared, “You're a king a-hole.”

Diaz and Democratic candidate Alex Freeman reacted with a surprised, “Wow,” as the moderator, Assistant State Attorney General Cheo Reid, tried to wrap things up.

“Gauger can't keep his cool during a conversation. He's unfit to protect our community! President Trump lives here and is protected by the sheriff! We can't let him win!” Attorney and BizPac Review contributor Erin Elmore wrote to X, sharing the clip.

Palm Beach County voters: Watch this clip of Gauger for Sheriff calling his opponent a hole. Gauger can't keep his cool during a conversation. It is not fit to protect our community! President Trump lives here and is protected by the sheriff! We can't let him win! pic.twitter.com/4NLLTikrH5

— Erin Elmore, Esq. (@ErinElmore) July 25, 2024

The attack shocked those watching the debate and quickly went viral, even being picked up as a top story TMZ, and became a national embarrassment for Republicans in Palm Beach County, home of former President Donald Trump. The 76-year-old later claimed he didn't know his microphone was on and didn't realize the video screen was still visible.

Calls for Bradshaw's former second-in-command to drop out of the primary began after the forum.

“Bradshaw is very popular. He's a nominal Democrat with an ocean of Republican support from the days when the job was nonpartisan,” said Elmore, who is a Palm Beach County resident and Trump supporter who has closely followed the career “Even with the best of campaigns, Gauger is a terrible candidate.”

After spending the last 16 years as chief deputy to incumbent Bradshaw, Gauger is on a mission to convince voters that he is the most qualified candidate to take on him. Palm Beach County Republicans will decide on August 20.

Disclaimer: Erin Elmore, whose opinion appears in this post, is also a contributor to BizPac Review.

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