The Florida Democratic Party slammed Republican Governor Ron DeSantis for “continued abuses of power.”
The Democrats are attacking Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis over recent allegations related to Hope Florida.
After a Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald report revealed that the DeSantis administration recently diverted $10 million from a previously undisclosed settlement to fund Hope Florida, a non-profit charity run by Casey DeSantis, the Florida Democratic Party responded.
“It seems that Ron is yet again abusing his executive powers to advance his personal agenda,” said FDP Chair Nikki Fried. “Apparently, illegally diverting taxpayer dollars to campaign against citizen-led amendments last year wasn’t enough for him — now he’s siphoning off AHCA funds to pay for Casey’s pet projects.”
The Republican Governor pushed back against Democrats, saying it was a political agenda behind the latest attacks and dismissing any concerns.
State Representative Anna Eskamani, a Democrat who is also running for Orlando Mayor in 2027, called Hope Florida a “slush fund for the First Lady.” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis defended the $10 million settlement paid to Hope Florida at the center of this controversy. But Democrats are calling for a bipartisan investigation with Republicans.
“The corruption coming out of the DeSantis administration should enrage Florida taxpayers of both parties,” Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried added. “I strongly urge the Florida Legislature to conduct a bipartisan investigation into both the Hope Florida Foundation and Ron’s continued misuse of the Executive Office of the Governor.”
