Rubio staffer hospitalized, reportedly attacked for wearing pro-Rubio shirt and pro-DeSantis hat

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio’s campaign office said that on Sunday one of their staff was assaulted whilst handing out fliers. The staffer was reportedly wearing Marco Rubio merchandise along with a Ron DeSantis hat.

“Last night one of our canvassers wearing my T-shirt and a DeSantis hat was brutally attacked by 4 animals who told him Republicans weren’t allowed in their neighborhood in Hialeah, Florida,” Rubio’s campaign posted on Twitter.

“He suffered internal bleeding, a broken jaw & will need facial reconstructive surgery,” the campaign added.

Rubio himself said: “I can tell you this: political violence should not be tolerated by anyone. Our side, their side, we don’t tolerate political violence. In this country, we decide who governs not by street mobs, we decide who governs at the ballot box.”

Within the same day law enforcement in Hialea, Florida apprehended a 22-year-old suspect named Javier Lopez, according to a statement sent to DailyMail.com. The statement did not confirm any details about Lopez’s political allegiance.

Lopez reportedly told the 27-year-old volunteer that “he was not allowed to walk on the sidewalk and pass out fliers in his neighborhood,” according to Hialea Police Sergeant Jose Torres.

“The victim, in order to avoid the confrontation walked across the street where he was again confronted by Mr. Lopez,” Torres said. “During the verbal dispute, Mr. Lopez then struck the victim multiple times in the face and head causing the injuries.”

Florida state representative Blaise Ingoglia took to Twitter urging senior Democrat figures, including Charlie Crist, to condemn the attack.

“This is totally unacceptable. The @DNC @valdemings @JoeBiden and @CharlieCrist need to come out and condemn this despicable act ASAP. Praying for his quick recovery and complete recovery,” Ingoglia said.