Pam Bondi slams Andrew Gillum for celebrating Aramis Ayala
Left: Pam Bondi. Right: Aramis Ayala and Andrew Gillum.

Screen Shot 2018-09-29 at 8.51.40 PM

Attorney General Pam Bondi called out Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum for appearing at an event Saturday honoring controversial State Attorney Aramis Ayala.

“Andrew Gillum is demonstrating that he will not stand up for our brave law enforcement officers who risk their lives each day to keep us safe,” Bondi said in a statement. “I know [Republican gubernatorial candidate] Ron DeSantis will stand shoulder to shoulder with all our brave first responders.”

Gillum tonight attended the Miami Dade Blue Gala in Coral Gables, where the Miami-Dade Democratic Party honored four individuals including Ayala, the State Attorney for the 9th Judicial Circuit in Central Florida.

But Ayala, Florida’s first black state attorney, proved herself controversial since her surprise election, particularly following her decision last year not to pursue the death penalty in any cases. She announced the decision as the office prepared its case against accused cop-killer Markeith Lloyd.

“It is unfathomable to me that Andrew Gillum would participate in honoring State Attorney Aramis Ayala, who refused to even consider the death penalty for the man who brutally murdered a true hero — Lieutenant Debra Clayton,” Bondi said.

Lloyd also faces charges for killing girlfriend Sade Dixon and her unborn child.

Gov. Rick Scott reassigned the Lloyd case to State Attorney Brad King in the neighboring 5th Judicial Circuit.

Ayala fought that move, but the Florida Supreme Court ultimately ruled Scott had the right to reassign the case. Ayala afterward lifted her blanket ban on pursuing the death penalty and set up a panel in her office to consider the appropriateness of capital punishment case by case.

Ayala in July endorsed Gillum, who joined her for a press event in Orlando. Gillum praised Ayala then. “She is a deeply dedicated public servant and a strong advocate for justice and fairness, and the personification of leadership in her community and across the state,” he said then.

Jacob Ogles

Jacob Ogles has covered politics in Florida since 2000 for regional outlets including SRQ Magazine in Sarasota, The News-Press in Fort Myers and The Daily Commercial in Leesburg. His work has appeared nationally in The Advocate, Wired and other publications. Events like SRQ’s Where The Votes Are workshops made Ogles one of Southwest Florida’s most respected political analysts, and outlets like WWSB ABC 7 and WSRQ Sarasota have featured his insights. He can be reached at [email protected].


21 comments

  • Ladykat

    September 29, 2018 at 10:41 pm

    Girl stop Reaching

    • Nordonia Nate

      September 30, 2018 at 12:09 pm

      Reaching?

    • GD

      October 1, 2018 at 8:36 am

      What in the hell did you mean, stop reaching?

  • Ray Tampa

    September 29, 2018 at 11:25 pm

    Pam Bond, easily the WORST Attorney General in Florida’s history should be ashamed of herself for criticizing Mayor Gillum for supporting State Attorney Aramis Ayala. State Attorney Ayala is very deserving of any honor offered to her and more. On the other hand, Bond idolizes two of this country’s most pathetic politicians – Rick Scott and Donald Trump.

    Just about everybody knows how Rick Scott acquired wealth. It is well documented. Besides, he has, according to a recent advertisement, accumulated another 83, 000,000 dollars this year alone. How??? Bear in mind, Scott doesn’t hesitate to share that he doesn’t accept a salary for being governor. Whoopi. . . that’s chump change.

    As far as Trump is concerned, who knows how many small businessmen and businesswomen have filed lawsuits against his unethical dealings. Do you all remember Trump University? Do you all remember Trump Airlines? Do you remember Trump Casinos? Do you remember the claims that contractors weren’t being paid? We can go on and on with ‘Do you remembers’ as far as our self indulging president is concerned. Yet, Bondi idolizes this nonsense.

    Bondi, law enforcement leaders (not rank and file), evangelical leaders, white nationalists and greedy corporate executives are all on the same Trump bandwagon. However, in the end, the people will prevail.

    Gillum, please tell Bond what she can do with her criticism of your support for State Attorney Ayala. I know you will do it in a nice, polite manner.

    • Darla

      September 30, 2018 at 6:40 am

      Nailed it.

    • Damita Dowers

      September 30, 2018 at 8:43 am

      You said everything Pam need to hear.

    • Nordonia Nate

      September 30, 2018 at 12:18 pm

      Tampa Ray… You have once again come on strong with your political rhetoric and animus… AND, you did your obligatory Trump bashing..

      But… NOW you want to escalate and start bashing law enforcement?? Does your animus know no bounds?

      The issue at hand, Tampa Ray … It’s about an individual who is on trial for MORE than allegedly murdering a police officer… It’s about a State Attorney refusing to apply death penalty considerations upon a capital case. It’s about a State Attorney who made a decision, was checked on it…. WHO ULTIMATELY CHANGED HER DECISION AFTER GETTING REMOVED…

      Tampa Ray… What does all that animus get you?

      • GD

        October 1, 2018 at 8:46 am

        First of all TPA RAY is a liberal Negros that wants to start a race war, and has no idea what in the hell he is saying…. First of all, Gilliam is race baiting races and is presently under FBI, “Under federal Law” investigation for misapporation of State and local funds from out great state of Florida…. You know know like stealing, your soul brother in detroit tried it and look at him, He’s in Democratic’s summer camp with the Fed’s “prison” Ex-Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick transferred to Philadelphia prison
        Associated Press Published 1:13 p.m. ET June 5, 2018
        636137206149492699-Kilpatrick.jpgBuy Photo
        (Photo: Amy Leang, Detroit Free Press)
        CONNECT
        TWEET
        LINKEDIN
        11
        COMMENT
        EMAIL
        MORE
        PHILADELPHIA — Disgraced ex-Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has been moved from a federal prison in Oklahoma to a federal detention center in Philadelphia.

        The Detroit News reports that the 47-year-old Kilpatrick was transferred Monday. Kilpatrick was sentenced in 2013 to 28 years in prison for extortion, bribery, conspiracy and other crimes during his years in office.

        He had been housed at the Federal Correction Institute at El Reno, located about 30 miles west of Oklahoma City. Kilpatrick’s release date is Aug. 1, 2037.

        More: Website hawks T-shirts to fund Kwame Kilpatrick freedom effort

        More: Michigan to close another prison. Still to be determined? Which one.

        The Bureau of Prisons website says the Philadelphia detention center houses nearly 1,040 inmates.

        Kilpatrick first was elected mayor in 2001. He resigned in 2008 following a text-messaging sex scandal involving his chief of staff. He also was charged with lying during a civil trial and jailed.

        WE don’t want a criminal at the Helm of our state….

    • GD

      October 1, 2018 at 8:37 am

      You Nuts dummie

  • Paul Kajiwara

    September 30, 2018 at 3:24 am

    Pam Bondi would be a solid patriotic Atty Gen for our country!She defends the Constitution and would display leadership that Sessions lacks.Many democratic naysayers are led by spiritual wickedness that they are totally clueless about.On their judgement day they will realize that they have made the wrong choice.We pray for them all for God wants all to come to know his glory through his son Jesus

    • Darla

      September 30, 2018 at 7:04 am

      Pam Bondi is pro death penalty.
      God isn’t.

  • Joel Engleson

    September 30, 2018 at 4:55 am

    Shes is a greedy shameless pig and i hope she ends up behind bars where she belongs.

  • Domino

    September 30, 2018 at 8:53 am

    Ayala was elected with Soros money.
    Gillum won the nomination with Soros money.

    The End

    • Soros is great

      September 30, 2018 at 10:26 am

      and Soros is bad because he is Jewish and has money, what does that make you??? You PIG!

      • Dennis Coates

        September 30, 2018 at 10:55 am

        Soros is a fk ing domestic terrorist pig

        • not a republican

          September 30, 2018 at 2:07 pm

          No, that’s the gop’ers. you anti-Semitic rat fucker

          • Nordonia Nate

            September 30, 2018 at 3:02 pm

            Not-a-republican… Ya know, after reading your post.. YOU exemplify the new mentality that prevails in the Democratic Party.. YOU actually believe being a profane, vulgar ass somehow gives you significance…

  • jesus

    September 30, 2018 at 3:55 pm

    amazing how gopers are evil. truly evil. and dumb as shit. may they rot in hell. soon.

    • Nordonia Nate

      September 30, 2018 at 4:39 pm

      jesus… Please keep posting.. People truly need to read your hate messages… Nothing but pure HATE

      • James C

        October 1, 2018 at 10:06 am

        Anyone with half a brain hates your dumb conservative asses.

        • Nordonia Nate

          October 1, 2018 at 12:09 pm

          Pretty much excludes you…

          Golly.. Wondering IF your next message is more unprovoked HATE? What does all your HATE get YOU?

Comments are closed.


#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, Anne Geggis, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Gray Rohrer, Jesse Scheckner, Christine Sexton, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704




Sign up for Sunburn


Categories