Randy Fine, who just won a special election in Florida’s Sixth Congressional District on Tuesday, responded bluntly after conservative commentator Candace Owens called him a “monster” and “genocidal pig” over his stance on the Israel–Hamas war.
Owens Takes a Swing—Fine Swings Back
Owens’ accusation stemmed from a tweet in which she claimed Fine laughed at an image of a dead baby in Gaza—Fine, a Jewish American, didn’t flinch:
“If I’m on the opposite side of you, I’m doing something right. Thanks for the endorsement!”
The Republican’s supporters forcefully rejected the charge as false and inflammatory.
Fine’s response was a sharp, sarcastic clapback aimed at one of the right’s most high-profile influencers, who has become increasingly critical of Israel in recent years.
The Bigger Context: Israel, Gaza and a Growing Rift on the Right
Owens has distanced herself from many on the right with her recent takes on Israel. Her criticism of Israeli policy during the ongoing war in Gaza put her at odds with conservative institutions—most notably, The Daily Wire, which she left in 2024 after a public clash with co-founder Ben Shapiro.
Her latest feud with Fine isn’t happening in a vacuum. It reflects a deeper fissure in the conservative movement over how to handle the Middle East—especially when civilian casualties and brutal images stir deep-seated emotions on all sides.
Who Is Randy Fine?
A former gambling industry exec with a sharp tongue and a long memory, Fine has never been one to play nice with critics. He’s also not new to controversy:
In April 2023, Florida’s bipartisan Commission on Ethics found probable cause that Fine abused his position by allegedly threatening to veto state funding for the city of West Melbourne’s Special Olympics competition and a city flood risk reduction project during a heated dispute with school board member Jennifer Jenkins. Fine blasted the commission as a “kangaroo court,” singling out one Democratic member in particular.
In October 2024, a judge held Fine in contempt of court and ordered him to complete an eight-hour, in-person anger management course through the Florida Safety Council. The ruling came after Fine mouthed curse words, wore a T-shirt and flashed the “loser” sign during a virtual hearing.
Despite the baggage, Fine had heavy-hitter endorsements from Trump, Rick Scott and House GOP leadership—and won. That said, his margin of victory was half what Trump pulled in the same district just months earlier. (That’s worth watching heading into next year’s midterms.)
Why It Matters
Fine’s win shores up a razor-thin Republican majority in the House. Every seat counts, especially with the 2024 elections still fresh and the GOP needing unity more than infighting. (RELATED: Legislative Logjam: Meet Every Republican Wreaking Havoc On Progress)
The Bottom Line
Candace Owens’ brand is confrontation. Randy Fine’s is defiance. Both are playing to their audiences—and both reflect real debates happening within the American right.
The only question now: Who speaks for the future of the movement?
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