Jesse Scheckner
Following Gov. Ron DeSantis’ suspension of a second State Attorney in just over a year, Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book wants to know who else he plans to ax — and his calculus for doing so.
In a letter written Aug. 9, when DeSantis removed and replaced Democratic State Attorney Monique Worrell of the 9th Judicial Circuit, Book called the Governor’s actions “extraordinary” and deserving of more explanation.
The letter was shared with the press Friday.
“If your position is that a series, pattern or culture of conduct within an office, presumably developing over several months, years or terms … rises to the level of negligence so severe that suspension is warranted, it naturally follows that the public (and the hundreds of public servants working within these offices) has the right to know two critical things,” she wrote.
Those two things:
— What other State Attorney(s) face suspension?
— What is the metric used to determine which conduct or negligence rises to a level requiring suspension? (Book notes there are “vastly different data across crime subcategories” and that using “a percentage basis, perhaps” might be useful to DeSantis in demonstrating a consistency in judgment.)
DeSantis suspended Worrell less than a year and a week after he did the same to Democratic Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren, who is contesting the legality of that action in federal court.
In both cases, DeSantis asserted the prosecutors were neglecting their duty by not being tough on crime. He cited Warren’s refusal to enforce state bans on abortion and gender-affirming surgery and policies under Worrell that allowed repeat violent offenders, including a spree shooter who murdered three people in February, to roam free on the street.
Also in both cases, the Governor’s chosen replacements were Republican. Democrats in Florida and nationwide decried his actions.
Florida Senate rules bar members of the chamber from speaking publicly about the merit or substance of any suspension order the Governor issues before voting to uphold or strike the order down. Some, like Democratic Sens. Tracie Davis and Victor Torres, disregarded that rule in the wake of Worrell’s removal.
Book said she’ll abide by the rule, but it would be nice if DeSantis provided a heads-up on any similar plans he has in the future.
“I will, along with several of our Senate colleagues, refrain from speaking publicly about the merits or substance of any suspension order, as we may be asked to sit in judgment of your executive suspension(s). I would ask that you make the public aware of whoever else may be facing suspension,” she wrote.
“As Senators, we have a vested interest in all actions occurring in this great Sate, including those directed by the Executive branch. I anticipate and appreciate your prompt response to this letter and the questions posed.”
DeSantis has yet to reply, Book told Florida Politics at 11 a.m. Friday.
9 comments
TJC
August 11, 2023 at 11:37 am
Lauren Book is not being fair, she’s using too many big words and she knows darn well Ron D. can’t handle that.
Instead of saying “vastly different data across crime subcategories” and “(using) a percentage basis, perhaps…” it would be more fair for her to say, “There’s like, you know, different things, you know, you got to see,” and “so, like, you know, you gotta look at it just right, you know, you just gotta.”
That’s Ronspeak, and he’ll understand what she means. He won’t like it, but he’ll understand it, and call it woke.
Dont Say FLA
August 11, 2023 at 11:55 am
She could try asking her “who else” question using baseball metaphors. The “why” (which she confusingly to Rhonda calls “calculus”) is whatever Rhonda thinks will make Maggas vote for him.
Bwj
August 11, 2023 at 6:48 pm
Like Abbott and Costello. Who’s on First? What is on second, and I don’t know I’d on third.
My Take
August 11, 2023 at 12:15 pm
Put a few “stuffs” in there too.
Governer Desantos
August 11, 2023 at 11:55 am
My metric is that I go with my gut, and whatever Casey tells me to do. Never Back Down!!
Earl Pitts "The Big Voice On The Right" American
August 11, 2023 at 12:31 pm
Good afternoon America,
Often in a situation like this it is useful to kind of flip the question and look at the big picture to see what Ms. Book could possably do to best address the situation with Warren and subsequantly Ms. Worrell from ever having occured and what Ms. Book could possably do to prevent more such occurances.
I know Ms. Book is busy so I came up with the answers for her.
1.) Advise all Democratic Party affilated State Attorneys to do their jobs in accordance with the Florida Statutes, the Florida Administrative Codes, and with common sense.
2.) Well America there is no 2, 3, 4, ect…ect..
ect.
Thats it.
So in closing thank you Ms. Book for seeking clarity and additional information on how you can be of better service to your Democratic constituancy.
Earl Pitts American
Tjb
August 11, 2023 at 12:32 pm
Ron, the despot, is the poster child for the weaponization of government against their political foes. Why is Ron DeSantis hell bent on destroying democracy by “firing” elected official that don’t have similar views that he has? Is Florida the free state? Or is it only free if you only do what DeSantis dictate what you can do!!!!
Michael K
August 12, 2023 at 6:02 pm
Just wait until his next “reset” or drop in the polls.
Ron is just trying to be the most disgusting person in America – somehow thinking that people find that appealing.
Nick Ireland
August 15, 2023 at 10:49 am
Perpetual Victim Barbie has nothing to worry about. Her daddy isn’t one the ban list, though he should be.
Comments are closed.