Welcome to what is the 1018th original profile here at “Crazy/Stupid Republican of the Day”, where we’ll be profiling Jessi Melton, who was a 2020 candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in Florida’s 22nd Congressional District. She was also one of the latest examples we have of people in the center of the Venn diagram of “2020 GOP Congressional candidate” and “Qanon conspiracy theory supporter”, but she was a bit more dedicated to it than just posting hashtags or the motto.
On February 13, 2020, Melton appeared on the YouTube channel of InTheMatrixxx, a major Qanon account whose entire channel was devoted to the conspiracy theory (now banned from that platform, obviously, but it’s still a podcast). Melton promoted that appearance on her Twitter account, mentioning the “Q movement.” During the show, Melton was asked if she “knew about Q”, and she answered, “I mean, I know you’re kind of just similar to me. I mean, you call it like you see it. And a lot of that are supposed to be things we don’t speak of.” Melton praised the channel as a “pro-republic show” that was getting “awareness out there,” and talked openly about welcoming the hosts at one of her fundraisers. In June 2020, Melton followed up on that idea, having one of the hosts at an event of hers showing a photo of them together on her Twitter account, writing, “Thanks for coming my friend.”
Jessi Melton lost in the GOP Primary in Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, losing to James Pruden by about 1900 votes but pulling down 30% overall. She did not, shall we say, “come back to reality” once her political aspirations were thwarted, getting flagged by Twitter by posting false information about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in June 2020, and later in the month tried posting anti-mask propaganda, lying and claiming that wearing masks causes “fungal infections and pneumonia”.
She also had a habit of posting violent suggestions on her Twitter page, like advising people to own AR-15s for “shooting looters” (ah, non-judicial executions, always a great suggestion) and gave out parenting tips like giving kids “a proper ass whoopin’.”
Then the press really started scrutinizing her, and found out she had a felony DWI arrest, posted support for notorious anti-Semitic actor Mel Gibson and calling one of his Jewish co-stars an “oven dogger” (a Holocaust reference), and that endorsements she was touting from both the Republican Jewish Coalition and Gov. Ron DeSantis were non-existent.
Mercifully, Melton melted down enough that she has now been banned from Twitter, and hopefully that eliminates any chance of her every being elected.
One Year Ago, August 31st, 2020: George Buck (FL)
Two Years Ago, August 31st, 2019: Carlos Curbelo (FL)… 2019 Update
Three Years Ago, August 31st, 2018: Carlos Curbelo (FL)… 2018 Update
Four Years Ago, August 31st, 2017: Carlos Curbelo (FL)… 2017 Update
Five Years Ago, August 31st, 2016: Carlos Curbelo (FL)… Original Profile
Six Years Ago, August 31st, 2015: Steve Wiles (NC)…2015 Update
Seven Years Ago, August 31st, 2014: Steve Wiles (NC)…Original Profile