Gray Rohrer
Andrew Warren, who was ousted as Hillsborough County State Attorney by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022, released a slate of endorsements from local Democrats as he ramps up his campaign to regain his position.
The endorsements range from U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor to Hillsborough County Commissioners Harry Cohen, Pat Kemp and Gwen Myers. Florida House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell of Tampa is also backing Warren, as is Hillsborough Public Defender Julianne Holt and Hillsborough Clerk of Courts Cindy Stuart.
Included in the endorsement list are former elected officials Alex Sink, who served as Chief Financial Officer from 2007 to 2011; Betty Castor, mother of Kathy Castor who served in the Legislature and as Education Commissioner in the 1980s and 1990s; and Arthenia Joyner, who served in the Florida House and Senate from 2000 to 2016.
“I’m honored to have the support of so many community leaders who recognize the success I’ve had over the last eight years making Hillsborough County much safer, fighting for victims, and improving our criminal justice system — while also standing up to the Governor’s attacks on the values and freedoms of all Floridians,” Warren said in a released statement.
DeSantis suspended Warren in August 2022, primarily for signing a pledge not to pursue charges for abortions in the wake of the Dobbs decision from the U.S. Supreme Court, which overturned Roe v. Wade and eliminated the right to an abortion at the federal level.
Warren sued DeSantis, claiming his First Amendment rights were violated and DeSantis didn’t have the authority to suspend him. In January, a federal appeals court sided with Warren, but stopped short of reinstating him, sending the case back to the lower court instead. DeSantis is appealing the decision to the full 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
DeSantis placed Susan Lopez, a former Hillsborough County Judge, in the position of State Attorney to replace Warren. Now, Lopez is attempting to fend off the challenge from Warren, who won the job in two previous elections in 2016 and 2020.
4 comments
Cheesy Floridian
May 29, 2024 at 10:57 am
What is the saying? “Justice delayed is Justice denied?” Why is his case taking so long when he should be reinstated as the elected prosecutor?
Dont Say FLA
May 29, 2024 at 11:01 am
The only fair play is turnabout.
However Many Is Enough local prosecutors should be able to organize and Recall Rhonda, terminating Dee’z Governorship.
But no, Florida is a G0P Run State where recall votes don’t exist because those give voters a bit of control over things and we can’t have that in the Free State of Fleur D’uh.
Cheesy Floridian
May 29, 2024 at 11:19 am
Friends $95 an hour! Seriously I don’t know why more people haven’t tried this, I work two shifts, 2 hours in the day and 2 in the evenin. And whats awesome is Im working from home so I get more time with my kids. Heres where I went,
GOOK LUCK ******
KathrynA
May 29, 2024 at 3:13 pm
I agree, the courts said he should be reinstated and the entire removal was such a farce and continues to be. DeSantis and crew are so responsible for this –for firing someone without reason or due process. How about removing Ms. Ziegler from the Sarasota School Board. Now that would be for real reasons and should teach our students that integrity and morality is important.
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