Some Democrats are disappointed in the weak responses from Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings to Governor Ron DeSantis’ suspension of State Attorney Monique Worrell.
In typical fashion, both Democratic Mayors made very politically safe remarks to the Republican Governor’s actions, and that’s the issue for Orlando Democrats who want more from their party’s elected officials.
Some activists and Democrats in town are arguing that when Republicans get criticized or attacked politically, the whole party lines up to provide strong support. Once again, it seems the local elected Democrats are not doing that.
As much as Buddy Dyer loves a non-answer to any important question, his response to Worrell’s suspension irked many Democratic supporters. “As a city, public safety is our top priority and we remain committed to that,” Mayor Dyer said. “We will continue to work with the State Attorney’s office, regardless of who is in that office, to bring cases forward to hold criminals responsible and keep our community safe.”
Local Democrats expected an actual response to Republican Governor DeSantis overruling the will of voters in what they describe as an anti-democratic abuse by removing Monique Worrell from the State Attorney’s office. Instead, that’s what they got from Buddy Dyer, who is also currently running for re-election again.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings seemed to delay a full response. “The bar should be very high whenever that occurs,” he said. “That’s something that Floridians are going to have to watch very carefully.”
His wife, former Democratic Congresswoman Val Demings, promoted a “Rally for Our Democracy” to support the suspended State Attorney. Florida Democrats have been clear that the suspension was “politically motivated.” Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said “this political hit job threatens our democracy and undermines the will of the people.” Congressional Democrats, including Orlando Rep. Maxwell Frost, are calling for an Oversight Committee hearing following Governor Ron DeSantis’ “unjust and unconstitutional suspension of Florida’s only democratically elected Black female State Attorney, Monique Worrell.” After all, Orlando and Orange County are the blue political centers in Central Florida.
Even a Republican U.S. Senate candidate blasted Governor Ron DeSantis and said voters were “subjected to shameless grandstanding by politicians who have recklessly ignored the urgent needs of our state’s judicial system.”
It’s no wonder some Democrats are disappointed in Mayors Dyer and Demings, but it’s not the first time and surely won’t be the last.
Disgusting. There all running scared of Ronnie. Waiting till they need help.