Anthony Sabatini
Anthony Frank Sabatini is an American far-right politician, attorney, and Florida Army National Guard officer serving as a Lake County commissioner since 2024. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2018 to 2022. Once a strong supporter of President Donald Trump, Sabatini has been a critic of Donald Trump since his endorsement of Daniel Webster over Sabatini in 2024.
A native of New York, Sabatini graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree and received his Juris Doctor from the Levin College of Law in 2017. While in law school, Sabatini was elected to the city commission of Eustis, Florida in 2016; serving until his resignation to run for the Florida House of Representatives in 2018. In 2022, he was an unsuccessful candidate in Florida's 7th congressional district Republican primary, losing to Cory Mills. In 2024, Sabatini was an unsuccessful candidate for Florida's 11th congressional district, withdrawing his candidacy after President Trump endorsed his opponent. That same day, he filed to run for Lake County Commission.
In August 2024, Sabatini narrowly defeated incumbent Republican Doug Shields in the Lake County Commission's 1st district election. In November 2024, he considered running for Florida's 6th congressional district in the 2025 special election until President Trump endorsed state senator Randy Fine. Later that month, Sabatini reaffirmed his intention to run for Congress in the future.
Sabatini has espoused a variety of right-wing stances, including opposition to abortion, gun control, DEI, and LGBTQ rights. His more controversial views include his support for Francisco Franco and Christian nationalism, his promotion of climate change denial and false claims of electoral fraud in 2020, and his opposition to vaccination.
Early life and education
Sabatini was born in Smithtown, New York, in 1988 and moved with his family to Florida the following year. In a high school photo, Sabatini and a friend were pictured in blackface. In his freshman year of college, he was photographed in brownface. He earned bachelor's degrees in philosophy and history from the University of Florida in 2012 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law in 2017.In 2023, The Daily Beast revealed Sabatini plagiarized his undergraduate thesis, copying many statements from Wikipedia.
Career
Sabatini is an infantry officer in the Florida Army National Guard. He was appointed to the City of Eustis Code Enforcement Board and later elected to the Eustis City Commission in 2016 and resigned from the office on April 30, 2018, to focus on his campaign for the Florida House of Representatives.Florida House of Representatives (2018–2022)
Sabatini defeated Monica Wofford and Shannon Elswick, to win the August 28, 2018 Republican primary, winning 46.7% of the vote. In the November 6, 2018 general election, Sabatini defeated Democrat Cynthia Brown, taking 56.48% of the vote.In 2019, Sabatini proposed amendments to make the Swamp Restaurant in Gainesville a landmark to protect it from demolition. The restaurant was temporarily closed, but not demolished, and eventually returned.
On January 13, 2020, Sabatini introduced HB 1365, which would have made it a felony for doctors to provide hormone therapy or gender reassignment surgery for transgender minors.
In 2020, Sabatini introduced legislation allowing Floridians with valid concealed carry licensed to carry firearms on public colleges and universities.
Sabatini has sponsored legislation to enshrine eight-year term limits for Florida's school boards.
Sabatini has introduced legislation to ban red light cameras in Florida.
During his tenure in the House, the Orlando Sentinel described Sabatini as "the worst person in the Florida Legislature."
In 2021, he became a fellow of the Claremont Institute.
2022 U.S. House campaign
On March 8, 2021, Sabatini announced that he would challenge incumbent Republican representative Daniel Webster for Florida's 11th congressional district. He later suggested he might not wind up running against Webster due to redistricting. On June 7, 2021, he announced he would challenge incumbent Democratic representative Stephanie Murphy for Florida's 7th congressional district due to redistricting.In August 2022, Sabatini lost the Republican primary to businessman Cory Mills.
2024 U.S House campaign
In April 2023, Sabatini declared his candidacy for the U.S House of Representatives, again challenging incumbent Daniel Webster for the Republican nomination for Florida's 11th congressional district. During the campaign, Sabatini characterized Webster as "senile" and accused him of being a "RINO".In June 2024, Sabatini withdrew from the race after President Trump endorsed Webster.
Lake County Republican Party (2022–2024)
In December 2022, Sabatini was elected chair of the Lake County Republican Party.In December 2024, Sabatini stepped down as county party chair and endorsed Carey Baker for the position, who was defeated by Taylor Yarkosky. In February 2025, Sabatini criticized Yarkosky's leadership and called for a new county party chair.
In August 2025, Sabatini filed a lawsuit, on behalf of precinct committeewoman Autumn Jacunski, which alleged Jacunski was "physically battered" by county party vice chair Mike Trainor during an event attended by Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, claiming her hand was intentionally slammed in a door. Shortly after, a three-minute video of the event was released showing Sabatini sent Jacunski into the building to inform attendees he was barred from entry, saying:
Later in the video, Jacunski approached the entrance and became "confrontational" with Trainor. When the door was shut, Trainor was not looking at the door; Jacunski appeared unhurt and walked away from the entrance. Police were called to investigate, but no arrests were made. In a statement to the press, State Attorney Bill Gladson responded to the event, saying: "prosecution is extremely unlikely" and "this whole situation could have been avoided if those involved would have just acted like adults instead of children. Everyone should be embarrassed. Lake County deserves better."
Lake County Commission (2024–present)
Less than one hour after withdrawing his second candidacy for Congress, Sabatini announced his candidacy for the Lake County Commission. In August 2024, he was elected to the Lake County Commission, narrowly defeating incumbent Republican Doug Shields. On November 12, Sabatini was formally sworn into office.As county commissioner, Sabatini has proposed renaming a road in his district after Charlie Kirk, following his assassination.
City attorney of Treasure Island (2025–present)
In May 2025, Sabatini lost his bid to become city attorney of Milton, Florida in Santa Rosa County. On May 14, he was chosen as city attorney of Treasure Island, Florida in Pinellas County, succeeding Jennifer Cowan.Political positions
Sabatini is currently a member of the Republican Party. He was previously a registered member of the Democratic Party.File:Anthony Sabatini, Karoline Leavitt & Charlie Kirk.jpg|thumb|Sabatini, Karoline Leavitt, and Charlie Kirk speaking with attendees at the Tampa Convention Center, 2022