Castor skips letter on Omar raid

Rep. Kathy Castor did not sign a letter sent on Oct. 26 that criticizes the federal investigation into Rep. Ilhan Omar.

The letter was addressed to Attorney General Todd Blanche and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. It was signed by 175 members of Congress. The document expresses opposition to the Oct. 12 raid on Omar’s home in Washington, D.C. The signatories demand that the administration refrain from taking further actions that could affect the outcome of upcoming elections.

The investigation focuses on whether Omar’s 2009 marriage to Ahmed Nur Said Elmi was intended to help him obtain a green card. The New York Times reported that this accusation was widely debunked during Omar’s first race for elected office in 2016. Omar is currently running for reelection.

Castor is one of 40 House Democrats who did not join the effort. She represents Florida’s 14th Congressional District. Two other Florida representatives also left their signatures off the letter. Those members are Darren Soto, who represents District 9, and Jared Moskowitz, who represents District 23. It is unclear exactly why Castor chose not to sign.

Castor is currently running against Republican Michael Beltran. She has a history of not aligning herself with the progressive wing of her party. Last September, Castor joined Republicans in a bill condemning Democratic Socialism. She was one of only two Florida Democrats to support that measure.

In a debate on WMNF radio earlier this month, Castor reaffirmed her position on that vote. She stated, "I reject socialism. And you’re right. I crossed the aisle not too long ago to condemn it in all of its forms. Too many of our neighbors across the Tampa Bay area fled socialism and authoritarianism, and I’ve listened very closely to their stories."

Creative Loafing Tampa Bay reached out to Castor for comment regarding her absence from the letter. The outlet stated it will update the story if she responds.