The sudden firing of Matt Devitt, a trusted chief meteorologist at WINK News, has ignited more than viewer outrage in Southwest Florida. What began as a local media controversy is now bleeding into a high-stakes Republican primary — and could ultimately influence who ends up representing Florida in Washington, D.C.
Devitt, who spent a decade at WINK and became a household name during Hurricane Ian, announced Jan. 10 that he had been unexpectedly let go from his role. In a social media post that quickly went viral, Devitt said the decision was a “complete shock” and that he was not given the opportunity to say goodbye to viewers.
Within hours, the backlash exploded.
Public outrage and political fallout
Devitt’s post has since drawn more than 74,000 reactions and nearly 27,000 comments, while a petition calling for his reinstatement has surpassed 1,500 verified signatures. Many supporters credit Devitt’s calm, continuous coverage during Hurricane Ian with helping them make life-saving decisions.
The controversy quickly caught the attention of national Republican figures. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich publicly demanded answers, writing that WINK “owes all of us an explanation” for Devitt’s firing. Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis echoed that sentiment, calling weather broadcasters “first responders” during disasters.
But the storm intensified when the firing became entangled with an already crowded GOP primary.
A weapon in a crowded primary race
The controversy has landed squarely in Florida’s 19th Congressional District Republican primary, where more than a dozen candidates are competing to succeed Rep. Byron Donalds. A recent October 2025 poll showed no candidate polling above 9%, with 67% of voters undecided — a volatile environment where even nontraditional issues can sway outcomes.
Congressional candidate Catalina Lauf seized on the moment, accusing her primary opponent, media executive Jim Schwartzel, of being responsible for Devitt’s removal. Lauf alleged that Schwartzel’s leadership reflected poorly on his fitness for office, framing the firing as evidence of elitism and political disconnect.
Schwartzel serves as president of Sun Broadcasting, which shares facilities and resources with WINK News through a Shared Services Agreement. While WINK is operated by the Fort Myers Broadcasting Company, the arrangement has drawn scrutiny from rivals questioning whether Schwartzel exerted influence over personnel decisions.
To date, Schwartzel, WINK management, and Devitt have declined to comment on the allegations.
Colleagues urge restraint as tensions rise
Amid the uproar, WINK meteorologist Lauren Kreidler appealed directly to viewers for compassion, emphasizing that the weather team had no role in the decision and was still processing the abrupt change.
Her message underscores a key reality: while political actors debate motives and influence, newsroom staff remain caught in the crossfire.
Can a local firing shape national politics?
On its face, the firing of a television meteorologist might seem unlikely to affect Washington. But in a low-information, high-volatility primary — especially one dominated by undecided voters — emotionally charged issues tied to trust, leadership, and community safety can carry outsized weight.
If the controversy continues to define perceptions of Schwartzel among Republican voters, it could reshape the primary field and, by extension, who ultimately represents Southwest Florida in Congress.
What is clear is this: a personnel decision made behind closed doors in Fort Myers has triggered a political storm that now reaches far beyond the newsroom — and may yet echo in the halls of Washington, D.C.
No comments:
Post a Comment