Politics

Walker campaigning with 2 GOP senators after abortion report

Published

4 years ago

October 11, 2022

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker is slated to campaign Tuesday with Sens. Rick Scott of Florida and Tom Cotton of Arkansas, offering the latest sign that the national GOP is digging in on Walker’s candidacy as he tries to get past a renewed spotlight on his rocky past.

Scott, who chairs Republicans’ Senate campaign arm, and Cotton, a potential 2024 presidential candidate, will hold an event in metro Atlanta with Walker as the football legend continues to deny accusations that he paid for and encouraged an abortion in 2009 for a woman with whom he later fathered a child.

Walker, who has come out against abortion rights in his first bid for public office, is trying to unseat Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock in a marquee midterm contest that will help decide which party controls the U.S. Senate for the final two years of President Joe Biden’s term.

The campaign swing by the Washington heavyweights highlights a simple calculation for a GOP establishment that was cool to Walker’s candidacy before he became the nominee: It’s simply too late to abandon a competitive candidate this close to the election and with the Senate deadlocked in a 50-50 partisan split.

Scott already has dismissed the stories as malicious collusion among Democrats and the media, insisting there’s a coordinated effort to “destroy” Walker and the country. Walker has followed the same script.

“I knew the Left would try to paint me as a man unfit to serve in public office,” he wrote in a fundraising appeal last week renewing his denials. “We cannot let the Left win by lying, cheating or buying their way to victory.”

The reporting by The Daily Beast complicates Walker’s candidacy in multiple ways. Supporting an absolute national ban on abortions as a candidate, Walker faces questions from at least some skeptical religious conservatives now weighing their preference for Republican rule against the possibility that Walker’s personal life has not matched his public persona.

Yet Walker’s evolving explanations — initially insisting he had no idea who could have claimed he paid for her abortion, only for the woman to identify herself as the mother of one of Walker’s four children —- have undermined his absolute denials and given Democrats a fresh opportunity to press their assertions that he’s “not ready” for the Senate.

That’s an argument Warnock has aimed at the middle of the Georgia electorate, including GOP-leaning voters who helped Biden win Georgia narrowly in November 2020 and then elevated Warnock and fellow Democrat Jon Ossoff to Senate runoff victories two months later.

The Daily Beast reporting includes records, supplied by the woman, that include a $575 receipt for an abortion, a get-well card signed by Walker and a bank deposit showing a $700 personal check from Walker, dated five days after the abortion receipt. The woman, who has not been identified by name, also told The Daily Beast that Walker encouraged the abortion and then encouraged a second abortion that she refused, giving birth to a child she says Walker has met only a few times.

Warnock, who supports abortion rights, has sidestepped the specifics of the allegations against Walker. But the incumbent has wielded the same argument about Walker’s fitness that he used amid earlier disclosures of Walker’s past and when the first-time candidate flubbed some policy discussions. Previous reports have detailed how Walker exaggerated his academic achievements, business success and his philanthropic activities, as well as accusations that he threatened the life of his ex-wife.

Walker, who had spoken publicly about adult son Christian Walker, was forced to publicly acknowledge having three additional children — including a child of the woman who said he paid for her abortion — after another Daily Beast story earlier in the campaign. He had previously only spoken publicly about Christian, a son from his first marriage.

“It does seem like a drip, drip, drip — even a little coordinated,” said Martha Zoller, a popular conservative radio host who supports Walker. But Zoller, who has criticized how Walker has handled his past during the campaign, said, “It’s getting harder and harder for some (Republicans) to justify” voting for Walker

Ultimately, she said, the choice for some voters will come down to the same calculation that Scott, Cotton and their Washington colleagues already have figured.

“If they see Walker as a guy that’s going to vote against Joe Biden, and he’s going to rebalance the power in the Senate, then they will continue to vote for Herschel Walker,” she said. “If they believe that he has gone too far in his personal life, and they can’t support that, they will either not vote or vote against him.”

Politics

Gov. Ron DeSantis Orders Flags at Half-Staff for Slain Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy M. Metayer Bowen

Published

4 days ago

April 16, 2026

FNN NEWS

Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy M. Metayer Bowen

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy M. Metayer Bowen, who was killed April 1 in what authorities describe as a domestic violence incident.

The directive calls for U.S. and Florida state flags to be lowered from sunrise to sunset Friday, April 17, 2026, at the State Capitol in Tallahassee and at all local and state buildings, installations and grounds throughout Coral Springs.

According to Coral Springs Police, officers conducted a wellness check at Metayer Bowen’s home after city staff raised concerns when she missed scheduled meetings and could not be reached. Responding officers found her deceased inside the residence.

Investigators said the killing appears to be a domestic violence incident. Her husband, Stephen Bowen, was later taken into custody and faces charges of premeditated murder and tampering with evidence. The case remains under active investigation.

State and local leaders say the half-staff order honors Metayer Bowen’s service and legacy in the Coral Springs community, where she was recognized for her leadership and commitment to public service.

What We Know About Her Death
Police say Metayer Bowen was killed April 1 at her Coral Springs home. Officers discovered her body during a wellness check prompted by her unexplained absence from official duties and lack of communication.

Husband Arrested, Faces Charges
Authorities arrested her husband, Stephen Bowen, who now faces premeditated murder and evidence-tampering charges. Investigators have identified the case as an apparent domestic violence incident.

State Honors Her Legacy
Gov. DeSantis ordered flags lowered across key government buildings in Tallahassee and Coral Springs, recognizing Metayer Bowen’s public service and the impact of her loss on the community.

Crimes and Courts

Florida Creates Public Assistance Fraud Task Force, Appoints Special Prosecutor to Crack Down on Fraud

Published

6 days ago

April 15, 2026

FNN NEWS

Courtesy of the Office of the Attorney General

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — James Uthmeier announced the launch of the Public Assistance Fraud Task Force, a multi-agency initiative aimed at strengthening investigations and prosecutions of fraud involving taxpayer-funded benefit programs.

As part of the effort, Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Scott Strauss has been appointed as special prosecutor to oversee complex, multi-circuit fraud cases and coordinate legal strategies across agencies.

TASK FORCE TO TARGET FRAUD

The task force is designed to provide legal counsel and streamline criminal prosecutions for state agencies and law enforcement, enhancing Florida’s ability to build strong cases against individuals accused of fraud.

“We are launching this task force to bring accountability and prosecute those who are stealing from Floridians,” Uthmeier said. “Florida is not Minnesota or California, and we will safeguard the taxpayers’ investment in the services meant for the vulnerable.”

MULTI-AGENCY COLLABORATION

State leaders emphasized the importance of coordination across agencies to combat increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.

“Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Uthmeier, Florida has continued to identify, address, and prevent fraud,” said Shevaun L. Harris, secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration. “This multi-agency initiative creates an opportunity to collectively reaffirm that commitment.”

Brad McVay added that protecting taxpayer-funded programs is essential to maintaining public trust.

“Floridians deserve a government that safeguards their taxpayer dollars from fraudsters,” McVay said.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass also stressed enforcement.

“If you commit fraud against public assistance programs, you will be held accountable,” Glass said.

ROLE OF SPECIAL PROSECUTOR

The special prosecutor will evaluate and oversee ongoing multi-circuit investigations, assist in developing cases for prosecution, and support law enforcement with legal tools such as warrants and affidavits.

Kathleen Von Hoene said the initiative will strengthen protections for vulnerable populations.

“Our goal is to protect the public, preserve the integrity of the Medicaid program, and safeguard the populations it serves,” she said.

PROGRAMS AND ENFORCEMENT

Florida’s public assistance programs include Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, housing assistance and reemployment services. Fraud involving these programs can result in criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, with penalties including fines, restitution and incarceration.

Law enforcement agencies interested in participating in the task force can contact the Office of Statewide Prosecution for more information.

Florida

Former Property Appraiser Rick Singh Launches Clerk of Courts Bid, Passes on Mayor and CFO Races

Published

6 days ago

April 15, 2026

Willie David

Photo credit: The Honorable Rick Singh, who served two terms as Orange County Property Appraiser.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Rick Singh, a U.S. Army veteran, business leader and former Orange County property appraiser, has announced his candidacy for Orange County Clerk of Courts, outlining a platform focused on efficiency, modernization and improved customer service.

While some observers expected Singh to pursue higher-profile offices such as Orange County mayor, Florida chief financial officer or Congress, his decision to run for Clerk of Courts reflects a focus on operational leadership and improving local government services.

“I’m running to make government work faster, smarter and more efficiently for the people of Orange County,” Singh said. “Residents deserve a Clerk’s Office that is responsive, transparent and built for today’s needs.”

PLAN TO MODERNIZE AND IMPROVE SERVICES

Singh outlined several immediate priorities if elected, including upgrading technology and expanding digital access.

“We will modernize the system by reducing long lines, enhancing online services and making it easier for residents to access records, make payments and interact with the Clerk’s Office,” Singh said.

His plan includes improving website and mobile access, streamlining in-person services and reducing wait times for residents.

FOCUS ON EFFICIENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

In addition to modernization, Singh said he will prioritize operational improvements and customer service reforms.

“We will overhaul customer service to prioritize speed, respect and accountability,” Singh said. “That includes auditing operations to eliminate delays and inefficiencies that frustrate residents.”

Singh emphasized that creating a more efficient and user-friendly experience will be a top priority from day one.

EXPERIENCE, INNOVATION AND COMPETITIVE FIELD

During his tenure as property appraiser, Singh led the office with the scope and visibility of a countywide constitutional role, implementing reforms that improved transparency, accuracy and efficiency.

His annual “State of Orange County Real Estate” events drew thousands of attendees, including elected officials, real estate professionals, financial leaders and community stakeholders, positioning the office as a key platform for economic insight and public engagement.

Supporters point to Singh’s track record of innovation — including modernizing systems and improving operational performance — as a model for how he would lead the Clerk of Courts office.

“I’ve led a large countywide office and delivered results,” Singh said. “I’m ready to bring that same level of leadership, innovation and accountability to the Clerk of Courts.”

His entry into the race adds to an already competitive field that includes Maribel Gomez Cordero, a current county commissioner and former vice mayor, and Emily Bonilla, a former commissioner and vice mayor, both of whom bring experience in local government leadership and community engagement.