Former CFO Alex Sink says Ron DeSantis should seek help from Jeb Bush, Craig Fugate in navigating COVID-19 crisis

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Sink criticized the Governor's handling of the state's response so far.

Alex Sink, a former Chief Financial Officer and Democratic gubernatorial candidate, says Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis should turn to previous state and federal leadership to help address the novel coronavirus outbreak in the state.

Among those leaders suggested by Sink are former Gov. Jeb Bush and former FEMA Director Craig Fugate. Sink also used that call to criticize DeSantis’ handling of the state’s response so far.

“One of the most important lessons for effective leaders is to surround themselves with a trusted team of knowledgeable advisors and subject matter experts,” Sink wrote in a Saturday email blast.

“Unfortunately, in 2018, we elected a Governor, Ron DeSantis, with NO prior proven leadership experience. Now we are paying the price in lives and livelihoods.”

Like the rest of the country, Florida has felt the effects of the virus — in both the health and economic spheres.

But Democrats have been critical of the Governor’s delay in issuing a statewide stay-at-home order. DeSantis eventually agreed to the move on April 2. That decision was welcomed by Floridians, according to a St. Pete Polls survey.

Sink asserts DeSantis would benefit from turning to Bush and Fugate as the crisis continues.

“My heartfelt suggestion to the Governor is to reach out to two former Florida leaders with tremendous experience in emergency management, former Governor Jeb Bush, and former Florida Emergency Management/FEMA Director Craig Fugate to work with him and his team in dealing with the debilitating COVID-19 crisis,” Sink wrote.

“This move would be welcomed by the majority of all Floridians and give us confidence that we can build and initiate a plan to address our critical immediate needs…and to put us on the road to recovery. I believe this action would be the best sign that our Governor can be a true leader for our State in this critical and challenging time.”

The call comes shortly after Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried — the only statewide Democrat to win office in 2018 — dragged DeSantis for a “failure of leadership” during the outbreak.

Ryan Nicol

Ryan Nicol covers news out of South Florida for Florida Politics. Ryan is a native Floridian who attended undergrad at Nova Southeastern University before moving on to law school at Florida State. After graduating with a law degree he moved into the news industry, working in TV News as a writer and producer, along with some freelance writing work. If you'd like to contact him, send an email to [email protected].


4 comments

  • John Kociuba

    April 11, 2020 at 3:42 pm

    Alex Stink is smoking crack cocaine! Hon. Ron Desantis only mistake was trusting CDC, FDA, WHO, UN, Communist propaganda computer models that fooled him into UNCONSTITUTIONAL USE OF FORCE to attack Citizens Constitutional Rights.

    Mayors & Police Chiefs should be arrested and sued into oblivion for CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATIONS! Especially 14th Amendment!

  • Lisa Martell

    April 11, 2020 at 9:19 pm

    Alex Sink has said out loud what so many of us have been thinking.
    I’m sure that these guys would do a brilliant job for Florida.
    Since DeSantis seems to take his “cues” from his mentor, bringing
    in some big guns to help educate, coordinate and implement a real plan
    to get us through this crisis would do nothing more than show weakness.
    A “War time” Governor doesn’t need such people.
    If we sent Gen. Honore, he would make him do it.

    DeSantis has the diploma’s on the wall but I am not sure what they have
    made him qualified to do. If Florida needs one trait/skill in our Governor,
    it is Crisis Management. What we are witnessing now is a deer in the headlights
    type of managing and it is costing lives and ruining the economy.

  • Harold Finch

    April 13, 2020 at 9:06 am

    So who’s going to listen Sink a political hack who is completely “out of touch” and arm-chair quarterbacking after the fact. And, she is working for that buffoon Nikki Fried, the Democrats only elected person who can and will run against DeSantis!!

  • JANETTE

    April 13, 2020 at 11:34 am

    Hi Floridians, I am a furloughed hotel worker who is just as frustrated as you are. I have started a call for current DEO head Ken Lawson to immediately resign from his position. Our politicians have failed us in Florida and it is so important that we the people are heard, many people are suffering please join my call follow link and sign my petition add comments or add your own petition. But Floridians please do not stay quiet speak up and share your experience, suggestion, and ideas with others Floridians who are going through this also. FLORIDIANS NEED HELP. FLORIDIANS ARE HURTING.

    http://chng.it/6c6hqQRNbt

Comments are closed.


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