(Florida) Panhandle county that backed Trump among Russian hacking victims

[steve2470]

https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2019/05/16/panhandle-county-that-backed-trump-among-russian-hacking-victims-1021302

TALLAHASSEE — Russian hackers breached a county elections department in the Florida Panhandle where voters turned out heavily for President Donald Trump in 2018, according to a report confirmed by POLITICO.

Washington County was one of two counties successfully hacked by Russians seeking voter information files. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security in the past week have briefed Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida’s congressional delegation about the attack, but federal authorities have asked that the names of the two counties be kept confidential.

The Washington Post reported that Russians were able to access Washington County voter information files. A person in Florida familiar with the investigation confirmed that Washington County was targeted after the attack had been revealed by officials in Washington, D.C. Two people in Florida said they suspect the second hacked elections office was in a mid-sized county on the East Coast of the state.

While it was known that Russians targeted Florida ahead of the 2016 election, the first confirmation that the effort was successful came in March, when special counsel Robert Mueller issued a report on Russian interference. The news jolted Florida officials, who had insisted that the effort three years ago was unsuccessful.

[moondust]

1. Panhandle is in 2nd Congressional District.

Last edited Sat May 18, 2019, 12:40 AM - Edit history (1)

(corrected)

[FL_Jerry]

3. Washington County is in the FL 2nd

Represented by Dr. Neil Dunn. FL 2nd used to be competitive until they redrew the district. Small county North of Panama City. Fl 1st is just west of these.

Those counties are 7 of 10 Republican, we take a beating in them. Lots of immigrants, unfortunately from Alabama. I'm actually living in the county until my house is fixed in Panama.

Funny thing is Trump is holding up hurricane funds, and Tyndall funding but these people still show up to his stupid rally.

https://ballotpedia.org/Florida%27s_2nd_Congressional_District

[moondust]

5. Okay, sorry.

Thanks. Although I still wouldn't rule out Gaetz conspiring with Russians to undermine U.S. democracy.

[FL_Jerry]

7. No need to appologize,

You are right, he's too close for comfort. It stinks to be in the middle of all these nuts.

[triron]

2. Part of the reason Trump 'won' Fla. in 2016.

[FL_Jerry]

4. Yes, but the party should take

A note from the R's and negative campaign in the "Panhandle" of FL. We'll never convince them to vote D, but the turnout needs to be depressed in that area. They turn out 70% R, and negates the leads we get in the south of FL. Most Dem campaigns just write it off, but none of it will work if the Russians can hack the vote.

[LonePirate]

6. He won this county 8360 votes to 2261 votes. It's a very, very small county.

This county alone could not have swung the state to him.