FLORIDA — When Charlie Crist’s campaign manager abruptly left his post this week, the campaign said it was due to a “family matter.” But according to a Fox News report, Austin Durrer – who has worked with Crist since 2016 – was arrested on Tuesday in Cambridge, Maryland.
Durrer was charged with second-degree assault in a domestic violence incident according to records from the Dorchester County court. He was later released on a $10,000 bond, but the court ordered him to vacate his home and surrender all of his firearms.
On Wednesday, reports surfaced that Durrer left his post at the campaign. Early Thursday, Crist's campaign announced that, due to a family issue, Durrer would no longer serve as campaign manager. In a statement, Crist’s spokesperson Samantha Ramirez said, “Austin Durrer has departed the campaign to focus on a family matter.”
The campaign did not mention Durrer’s arrest, prompting some on Twitter to accuse Crist of “covering up physical violence against a woman.”
Make no mistake, @CharlieCrist lied about the reason for his campaign manager’s departure.
— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) October 21, 2022
Charlie covered up physical violence against a woman. https://t.co/e69zDZhr83
Crist hired Durrer in December 2016 to be his chief of Staff in Congress. Earlier this year, Durrer took the job as Crist's campaign manager in his bid to challenge incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis.