If you think my story was insane before, let me tell you about a campaign trip I took to Jacksonville in April 2022.
I attended a democratic mixer the night before I was scheduled to speak and then accept the endorsement of the Florida Young Democrats during my campaign against Florida Congressman and sex trafficker Matt Gaetz.
I brought two of my campaign staffers with me to the event. Though I didn't know most of the people at the party, I felt safe in the crowd of like-minded strangers and my own team.
Admiration hits the mind like a drug, though, and this was only the second time I'd been at a major political event where I was the center of attention. Lulled into a false sense of security, I did something I've never done my entire life: let someone else get me a drink. Twice.
