Fort Myers Beach spokesperson appears in campaign ad for Congressional candidate

Fort Myers Beach residents watching campaign ads on television the past few weeks may have noticed Abigail Eberhart, the town’s public information officer and spokesperson, appearing in an ad for Congressional candidate Jim Oberweis.

In the political commercial, Eberhart sits down in front of the camera and says “they are very concerned that people are maybe here illegally and operating and taking their jobs and I think Jim Oberweis sees that.”

Eberhart did not respond to questions from the Fort Myers Beach Observer including whether she is volunteering for the Oberweis campaign, or working for the campaign, or was paid to appear in the ad.

In an emailed statement, Eberhart said “My work with the campaign and my work with the Town are completely separate.” Eberhart said “I was acting solely in my personal capacity, not in my capacity as a Town employee.

Like any private citizen, I have First Amendment rights, and I am entitled to exercise those rights in my personal time and in my personal capacity. My personal political activity is separate and distinct from my official duties with the Town.”

Fort Myers Beach Manager Will McKannay said the town doesn’t regulate private political activities of its employees.

“I respect Ms. Eberhart’s right to participate in political activities and express her personal views,” McKannay said. “In the commercial, she did not identify herself as a Town employee or spokesperson, and she was speaking in a private capacity, not on behalf of the Town.”

McKannay said in an email “The Town does not regulate the private political speech or activities of its employees outside of their official duties, provided they do not represent themselves as speaking for the Town or use Town resources in connection with that activity. Ms. Eberhart’s appearance in this ad falls outside her role here.”

McKannay said he doesn’t believe Eberhart’s involvement in the campaign ad is a conflict of interest for the town. “Her personal political views and affiliations are separate from her professional responsibilities and do not reflect the Town’s official position on any candidate or race. To be clear, the Town has no position on this race, this candidate, or any partisan primary, and nothing about Ms. Eberhart’s personal participation changes that.”

Oberweis could not be reached as of press time.

Oberweis, a former Illinois state senator, has been running in a crowded Republican primary field for the Congressional seat currently held by Rep. Byron Donalds. Donalds is seeking the Florida governorship.

The ad, which is paid for by Jim Oberweis for Congress and which is approved by Oberweis, ends with Oberweis saying “I am Jim Oberweis and I approve this message.”

The ad features several speakers touting Oberweis and features video of law enforcement appearing to stop migrants.

The 30-second commercial features a testimonial from former Naples Mayor Bill Barnett, who says “there is still illegal immigration happening.”

In the commercial, Cape Coral resident Chris Cammarota says Oberweis is needed because “the radical left is destroying this country from within.”

The town’s public information officer position is relatively new, having first been created in 2020. Unlike many other towns and cities, the Town of Fort Myers Beach form of government is not run by political parties. Town councilmembers are not elected on the basis of their political party, and their political parties are not on the ballot. The manager is appointed directly by the Town Council.

Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers did not return a message seeking comment.