A 71-year-old Florida man, Stuart McMillan, was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly grabbing two women by the throat during an argument at a polling place in Hillsborough County. The incident occurred at the Palmetto Club at the Fishhawk Ranch polling location in the Tampa suburb of Lithia.
The altercation reportedly started when McMillan got into a verbal argument with the two women over their political candidate choices. One of the women was allegedly grabbed by the throat and hair after McMillan pulled her flag to the ground. When the other woman intervened, she was also grabbed by the throat.
Rep. Danny Alvarez, who represents House District 69 in Hillsborough County, witnessed the altercation. According to Alvarez, the women were holding flags supporting Vice President Kamala Harris, while McMillan was waving a Donald Trump flag. The argument escalated into physical confrontation involving the flags before McMillan allegedly resorted to grabbing the women by the throat.
Sheriff Chad Chronister emphasized that violence has no place in the community and stated that anyone disrupting safety and civility will be held accountable. McMillan was arrested and charged with two counts of battery following the incident.
Hillsborough County, known for its slim margin in the recent election, saw President-elect Donald Trump winning with 50.9% of the votes compared to Vice President Kamala Harris' 47.8%. The county was the closest margin of victory for Trump in the greater Tampa Bay area.
