Escambia County Commissioner Mike Kohler faces backlash after his political battle with state Rep. Michelle Salzman over funding to improve the entrance to NAS Pensacola led to a now-deleted Facebook comment on Salzman’s personal page.
- WEAR-TV reporter Tanner Stewart broke the story, and both sides are now speaking out.
Background
State Rep. Pat Maney (R-Fort Walton Beach) has sponsored funding for the road project, which received $3 million in federal funds for the South Navy Boulevard Corridor Management Plan earlier this month. The project from Barrancas Avenue to the Sam A. Lovelace Bridge is expected to cost $13 million. Maney asked for $1.5 million for the project, and the funds were included in the House budget.
Two sources close to Maney report that Salzman opposed the budget request, explaining that her objection stemmed from the 2025 congressional race in which she briefly ran but withdrew after President-elect Trump endorsed the eventual winner, Jimmy Patronis.
- However, Kohler’s Facebook comment has overshadowed Salzman’s political intrigue.
What Happened on Facebook
Salzman posted on her Facebook page, “A strong woman doesn’t seek revenge. She moves on, let karma do her dirty work.”
- The Cantonment lawmaker has posted similar remarks in the past.
Kohler responded:
“That is so wrong! You claimed to have been sexually assaulted in your military service. Men that abuse women should be prosecuted. Representative Salzman, please let us support you in your fight. I will be the first to help.
OBTW
I will forgive you pushed to stop S Navy Blvd to beautify the veterans that served before they are buried. Shame politics should never become before what is right. President Lincoln should be your North Star.”
On WEAR-TV, Salzman accused Kohler of trying “to bribe me on social media” in his Facebook comment.
Kohler Apologizes
Kohler has apologized for linking in his comment about Salzman’s effort to block funding for a project in his district with her claim of being sexually assaulted in the military. He told me over the phone this morning, “I made a mistake marrying those two together.”
- He added, “I’m a nurse. I have people close to me who were sexually assaulted. I have been with rape kits. I have assigned people victim advocates.”
Salzman told WEAR-TV that she had little knowledge of the South Navy Boulevard project, saying, “He went on my personal Facebook page unprovoked with no conversation and posted that.”
The Back Story
Salzman’s comment about “no conversation” differs from the commissioner’s account of their communications. Kohler said he texted and spoke with Salzman about her efforts to kill the project last week. The commissioner said he first tried to call the lawmaker after receiving a call about her trying to kill the bill.
- “I called her office. She didn’t pick up. So I left a message. I said, ‘Michelle, I just got a call that I was told that you’re trying to hurt the South Navy Boulevard bill. I really hope this isn’t true,” recalled Kohler.
The commissioner said Salzman began texting, “Wow, who’s saying this?”
Kohler shared. “And I said, ‘Well, look, this bill is a regional bill.’” I started texting her back and said, “I can’t believe you’d want to hurt this. This supports five to seven funerals a day, not just to Escambia County.”
The lawmaker called Kohler. This is how he detailed the exchange:
Salzman: “I’m not on any one of these subcommittees.
Kohler: “Michelle, I’m being told you went to Maney’s legislative aide.”
- The commissioner said that Salzman went “radio silent.” He said, “She knew she was caught.”
The next day, he received further confirmation that Salzman wanted the funding struck from the budget.
- This story is developing. Stay tuned to Rick’s Blog and WEAR-TV for further coverage.
