The Republican Party of Palm Beach County has removed Mike Caruso from its November voter guide after facing criticism for including the suspended county clerk while he faces child sex abuse charges. The updated guide, posted on Instagram and X on Tuesday, no longer lists Caruso—the county clerk of the Circuit Court and comptroller—among the party’s recommended candidates for the November 3 general election as he seeks another term. The county GOP said its original version had included every Republican nominee and added: “As soon as we were permitted to remove the nominee running for a constitutional office, we did.” Newsweek has contacted the Palm Beach GOP for comment via email.
Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power praised the change, writing that he appreciated the Palm Beach GOP “doing the right thing.” Hours earlier, Power said the state party had asked the county organization to take down its previous voter guide and renewed its call for Caruso to withdraw from the race. The move follows criticism from prominent Florida Republicans after Caruso appeared on the county party’s guide. Governor Ron DeSantis called the inclusion “disappointing,” writing on X that “some things are bigger than party.” Power separately said the state GOP had withdrawn its support for Caruso when he was arrested and had asked local Republicans to select a potential replacement.
Power told Newsweek via email that the Palm Beach GOP “was correct to remove him from the voter guide” and again said Caruso should withdraw. He said the Florida GOP has “been consistent on asking Mike Caruso to step aside” and that the state party “asked the Palm Beach GOP to name a replacement and they did but Mike Caruso refused to withdraw.” Jude Engelmeyer, a representative for Caruso, told Newsweek that the Palm Beach County Republican Party “is entitled to make its own decisions regarding its voter guide. Mike Caruso’s position, however, has not changed.” “Mike maintains his innocence, remains the Republican nominee for Palm Beach County clerk and comptroller, and intends to remain in the race through the November election,” he said in an emailed statement.
Ultimately, the decision belongs to the voters.” Caruso, 67, was arrested on August 18 on five felony charges, including kidnapping, child molestation and child abuse. He has maintained his innocence. The change means the Palm Beach County GOP is no longer promoting Caruso on its voter guide, putting the local organization in line with the state party’s position.
It does not, however, change Caruso’s formal status as the Republican candidate. The local party said in a previous statement that Caruso decided to remain in the race and fight the charges against him. He is running against Democrat Yvette Drucker.
Florida law sets out specific circumstances in which a political party can fill a vacancy in a nomination. Under Section 100.111 of the Florida Statutes, a vacancy can arise when a party nominee dies, resigns, withdraws or is removed. If the vacancy involves a county office, the county party executive committee can meet to designate a replacement.
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