Corbin is perhaps best known for the time he was arrested for attacking a drag queen with a lit tiki torch while dressed up as a Ku Klux Klan member. After a drawn-out legal battle, however, he was cleared of all charges in 2014.
Okay, but what was he doing in a KKK outfit in the first place? Well, it was the annual Halloween party at Georgie’s Alibi, the legendary gay bar in Wilton Manors. Apparently, he’d worn a white Klan robe to the same party back in 2008 and gone around telling people to vote for McCain, which won him second place in the costume contest. So, he figured he’d do it again in 2012, only instead of “Vote for McCain,” he’d say, “Vote for Romney.” (If there’s a moral to the story, it’s this: Never wear a KKK costume, ironically or otherwise. It will not end well.)
Corbin ran for mayor of Wilton Manors two years ago, which, he admits, “was a bit more of a protest.” Back then, he wanted to call attention to the fact that he was out on bond facing felony charges — unfairly, he felt — and couldn’t make his annual summer trip up to Canada.
This time around, though, he’s all about the issues. In particular, he opposes the plan to make Wilton Drive a two-lane road, wants to build a new parking garage, and wants to create a dog park. He’s also concerned that officers on the Wilton Manors police force — which he has a contentious relationship with, stemming from his arrest — may be using steroids, which is why he’s walking around in what looks like one of your D.A.R.E. T-shirts from middle school but, on closer inspection, turns out to say, “DARE TO KEEP COPS OFF ROIDS.”
”I went to the swap shop and got it made,” he explained, giggling.
One thing you can’t say about Corbin is that he has no sense of humor. The business cards he made to hand out during his last campaign have his mug shot on them, along with the words, “WANTED FOR MAYOR.” This time around, though, his PR guy has asked him to talk a little less about his arrest — not that that’s stopping him.
“It’s a good thing for my campaign,” he says. “It’s a very good example of how we need some changes in the police department in this town. People like the fact that I stand up for what I believe in and that I’m not afraid to stand up to the cops. No, it’s an asset.”
Corbin is completely self-funded so far — as of the most recent filing period, he’s loaned himself $2,000. He’s also the only challenger to incumbent mayor Gary Resnick. As far as his chances go, he thinks they’re pretty good.
“There’s a lot of residents who are disgruntled with the job that Gary Resnick is currently doing,” he says. “A lot of people think he’s been in office too long, and they’re ready for a change. I think I have a good chance. I think I have a very good chance.”
