Dems fear DeSantis is planning a ‘power grab’
TALLAHASSEE — Broward County Democrats are fearful that Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is planning to orchestrate a power play in local politics through a change in election law.
The Florida Legislature approved a contentious voting bill Thursday night, but one item in particular caught the attention of Broward County’s delegation.
The legislation expands the governor’s power to fill openings on local boards when elected officials resign to run for another
office.
That applies to all of Florida’s counties, but it is of particular interest to Broward because of the political dominoes falling in the scramble to fill the congressional seat that was held by the late U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings.
Hastings’ death will open up two seats on the all-Democratic County Commission.
Republican sponsors have provided few details on how the change would affect Broward County.
But Democrats say the change could allow a DeSantis appointee to serve longer on the Broward County Commission without having to face voters.
Commissioners Barbara Sharief and Dale Holness are resigning to run for Congress. Sharief ’s seat is up for election in November 2022, so voters would get to decide then who replaces her. But Holness’ term runs through 2024.
State Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-West Park, said his interpretation of the change is that the person DeSantis appoints to fill Holness’ seat would get to serve through 2024, rather than having to face voters in November 2022.
“The rules should not be coming from Tallahassee,” he said. “The people should be the ones to decide who will represent them. Not the governor. Not the Legislature.”
State Rep. Bobby DuBose, D-Fort Lauderdale, said he thinks the change is targeted at Broward County and will give DeSantis more power to meddle in a Democratic county’s local affairs. DuBose also is running for Hastings’ seat.
“You will see somebody sitting in this chamber who will be appointed to [the] Broward County Commission,” he told his colleagues during a floor speech. “Trust me. This is the power grab in this bill.”
DuBose did not identify during his speech who that person could be, but state Rep. Anika Omphroy, a Democrat from Lauderdale Lakes, has been the focus of speculation as a possible choice. She has sided with Republicans in some key votes.
In an email, Omphroy wrote that she is focused on representing her district, but it would an “honor” to be considered for the Broward County Commission.
“I’m unaware of any plans Gov. DeSantis has for appointment to that seat, but it would be an honor to be considered to continue serving my community at the county level,” she wrote.
Omphroy added her team also will be looking at the upcoming elections to fill Hastings’ congressional seat and an expected vacancy in the state Senate that will occur when Sen. Perry Thurston resigns to run for Congress.
DuBose said he does not have direct knowledge of DeSantis’ plans, but he’s suspicious based on the timing and the lack of clarity Republicans have provided on how the legislative tweaks will affect the Broward County openings.
“I’ve been in this process long enough to know when there is smoke, there is fire,” he said.
A DeSantis’ spokeswoman did not respond to messages seeking comment..
Hastings died on April 6 and the governor, who has the power to call special elections to fill congressional vacancies, hasn’t set primary or general election dates.
Democrats hold every seat on the Broward County Commission, but DeSantis would benefit from having friends in an important county that is still home to a large number of independent and Republican voters, DuBose said.
Omphroy has joined with Republicans on some key votes, including supporting a bill to require parental consent for minors seeking abortions and another that aims to punish Big Tech. DeSantis appointed Omphroy in April 2020 to the state’s COVID-19 “reopening task force.”
State Sen. Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine, said the change is geared toward saving taxpayer dollars by avoiding numerous special elections in situations where you have multiple elected officials resigning.
Vacancies in the state Legislature are governed by a different statute, which requires that a special election be held. Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale, is running for Hastings’ congressional seat, and state Sen. Bobby Powell, D-West Palm Beach, said he’s considering getting into the race.
DeSantis already has made a mark on Broward politics since he became governor in January 2019. He suspended Scott Israel as Broward County sheriff in the wake of the Parkland massacre and appointed Gregory Tony to fill his seat.
Israel and Tony faced off in a contentious election last year with Tony coming out on top.