Andrew Bain refuses to help Monique Worrell transition into office after losing State Attorney’s race

Voters overwhelmingly elected Monique Worrell over Gov. Ron DeSantis-appointed Andrew Bain for State Attorney of Orange and Osceola counties.

But Bain, the incumbent, is now telling his employees he won’t help Worrell transition into the office, claiming DeSantis’ executive order last year that removed Worrell from office still stands.

Worrell responded by saying in a statement, “Today, I am disheartened but not surprised to learn that Andrew Bain is refusing to facilitate the peaceful transition of his appointed administration. This refusal is not only a betrayal of democratic principles, but also a stark reminder of the lengths to which some will go to cling to power.”

Bain is refusing to help Worrell because he argued DeSantis hasn’t rescinded the executive order and Worrell never requested a Senate hearing to overturn the executive order.

“Without one of these things, I do not feel I can lawfully assist in a transition to an individual whose lawful suspension was affirmed by the Florida Supreme Court,” Bain wrote in an email. “We are living through an unprecedented legal event without clear answers. While I will immediately comply with an order of the Governor rescinding his prior executive order, I do not know if or when that will come.”

Bain added, “It is because of my feelings for you as a family that I write today.”

Worrell called the Governor’s executive order a “political stunt” and said the voters had spoken.

“That mandate was clear. Elections are the ultimate accountability measure in a democracy. No executive order, no political maneuver, and certainly no personal grievance can override the will of the people,” Worrell’s statement said.

Bain said he accepts the outcome of the Nov. 5 election, in which Worrell won with 57% of the vote, even if he wasn’t willing to help her in the transition.

In his email, Bain also told employees he “cannot guarantee what will happen,” so he encouraged his staff to look for new jobs if they didn’t want to be working in uncertainty or with a new administration. 

Meanwhile Worrell also had a message for the staff.

“To the hardworking employees of this office, I see you. I know many of you have weathered turbulent times, and I want you to know that stability and transparency are on the horizon. I will not ask you to choose between your livelihood and your principles,” Worrell said. “My door will be open to you as we move forward together.”

The State Attorney’s race was a nasty fight featuring a lawsuit and mudslinging.

Worrell ran for her old job after DeSantis removed her from office. There was no Republican on the ballot — just Worrell, a Democrat, and Bain, an independent.

Republican Seth Hyman dropped out after winning the Primary. Hyman’s Republican Primary opponent accused Hyman of being a ghost candidate to try to help Bain win. Hyman and Bain both denied it.

After Bain lost in the election, Bain’s Chief Assistant State Attorney told staff in an email, “The leaders of this office have no plans to begin looking for work elsewhere. Rather, we are all committed to following and enforcing the law in the same aggressive way we have been.”

Here’s Bain’s full message that he sent Monday: