FLORIDA DICTATORSHIP: Authoritarian GOP Gov. subverts the will of Florida voters…AGAIN
Broward County Public School Board candidate Rod Velez is suing Florida governor Ron DeSantis for vacating his free and fairly elected win to appoint a board member of his own choosing.
Due to be sworn in last month after winning the race to represent Florida’s District 1 on the board, Velez is asking a court to intervene.
Seeking his rightful place on the board, the winning candidate wants the court to order him to be sworn in as the voters determined.
On Monday, Velez filed a complaint against Gov. DeSantis and his replacement Daniel Foganholi.
Foganholi recently finished a temporary stint representing District 5 on the Broward County School Board.
The failed Coral Springs County Commissioner candidate was appointed by DeSantis in May to fill the seat left vacant by Rosalind Osgood, who is now a state Senator.
This isn’t the first time the dictatorial governor has skirted voters.
DeSantis removed Hillsborough County prosecutor Andrew Warren after the democratically elected Attorney General bucked the governor’s intended enforcement of abortion laws that are not only archaic but outdated.
The displaced official sued the DeSantis administration claiming government overreach and violation of First Amendment rights.
Nearly three decades ago, Velez lost his right to vote after being convicted of a felony in the ’90s. But a 2018 amendment restored the rights of Florida felons to vote, and Velez was awaiting clemency from the state to be sworn in.
“The state has everything they need to hit the button and process everything,” Velez said.
“Regardless of whatever happens to me, I’m still going to be around. You’re not going to get rid of me. My voice will be heard,” he added.
Gov. DeSantis has been overstepping his authority and ruling dictatorially with his decision to block and displace the election of a school board member whom the voters had decided was someone working in their best interest.
Apparently, DeSantis didn’t get that memo.
Original reporting by Hazel Vela and Andrea Torres at Local 10.
Follow Ty Ross on Twitter @cooltxchick
