Florida Gubernatorial Candidate Arrested After Assaulting Elderly Victims

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 46-year-old man running for Governor of Florida, Kevin Cichowski, was arrested on Friday after allegedly assaulting two elderly victims at a home in Flagler County. Deputies said Cichowski hit one victim with a cane, threw a cellphone at the other, and threatened to kill them and law enforcement if called. Cichowski was taken into custody and placed under the Baker Act after making suicidal statements during the arrest.

Why it matters

The incident raises concerns about the mental health and fitness of political candidates, as well as the vulnerability of elderly residents to violent crime. Flagler County has seen a rise in domestic disturbance calls in recent years, underscoring the need for better support systems and intervention programs.

The details

According to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a home on Cleveland Court on Friday morning regarding a domestic disturbance with a weapon. The victims, who were hiding in a bedroom and could not leave because one was bedridden, reported that Cichowski had hit one of them with a cane, thrown a cellphone at the other, and threatened to kill them multiple times. Deputies safely escorted the victims out of the home and took Cichowski into custody without incident.

• On Friday morning, deputies responded to the home on Cleveland Court.
• Cichowski was previously arrested in 2024 for domestic battery, domestic battery by strangulation, and false imprisonment.
• Cichowski filed to run for Governor of Florida on March 24, 2026.

What’s next

Cichowski is currently in custody and will undergo a mental health evaluation under the Baker Act. The Flagler County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate the incident.