A Republican Congressional candidate has dropped out of the race after body cam video of a traffic stop was released. In the video, Martin Hyde can be heard threatening, disobeying, and questioning the immigration status of a Sarasota police officer after he was caught speeding and texting while driving.
According to Newsweek, Hyde has since dropped out of the campaign for Floriday’s 16th District Congressional seat.
He was pulled over on Valentine’s Day for going 57 MPH in a 40 MPH zone. The officer even told Hyde that she saw him texting and driving, which is illegal in Florida.
Hyde first responded to the officer’s order for his license and registration by saying, “I’ll just call the chief, how’s that?” He then escalated the interaction by saying, “Do you know who I am?” and “you’re making career decisions right now.”
He then went on to question the immigration status of the female officer saying, “Is it your Russian immigrant status that makes you talk to people like this?”
A supervisor eventually arrives on the scene to try to clear the air. Hyde can then be heard telling the Sergeant that the officer who pulled him over is likely to get fired for this incident.
Hyde received endorsements from Trump-allies Michael Flynn and Roger Stone. He has campaigned on the platform of ending cancel culture.
Media reports state Hyde has since withdrawn his candidacy in the tightly contested GOP primary.
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