The disturbing political attack narrative that has been floating around certain Palm Beach political circles of double-amputee combat veteran and congressional candidate, Brian Mast, exploiting his prosthetic legs, came to a head at a recent debate between GOP candidates in Florida’s 18th congressional district.

On a disturbing note, several Palm Beach residents, who have asked that we not use their names in this story, are saying that one of Mast’s congressional opponents and his or hers financial backers, are pushing the narrative that “he is only running on his legs,” and that the reason why Mast wears shorts is to exploit his prosthetic legs.

We followed up with the claim with more detail on where the rumors have originated from:

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We have now learned that the source of this line of attack against Mast is coming from the Rick Kozell congressional campaign.

According to one prominent elected official in Palm Beach County, Florida, whose name we will keep out of this story, Kozell stated that Brian Mast only wears shorts so that he can expose his prosthetic legs in order to receive sympathy for the injuries he sustained.

Several of Kozell’s close campaign financial backers have also been telling anyone who will listen that Mast was “only running on his legs,” and that he was not ready to serve in the U.S. Congress.

Kozell could not be reached for comment, and has not yet replied to a request  for a comment regarding the accusations made against him and his campaign.

Mast was asked about what Kozell supposedly said about him – wearing shorts to show off his prosthetics.

“I’ve heard rumors for sometime, but Rick Kozell has never had the courage to say anything to me directly. The fact that I wear shorts, not having two legs, this isn’t something that defines my campaign.” -Brian Mast

Rick Kozell was prompted to go on defense, calling out Mast for running with a rumor that he says was “unsubstantiated, and categorically denied the accusations, saying that he never said that about Mast.

The talk that Team Kozell (mainly financial backers) are saying that Mast is only running for Congress on the fact that he is a double-amputee, continues to grow legs. Pun intended.

Watch the exchange between Brian Mast and Rick Kozell.