Democratic Rep. Of Florida Charlie Crist
Charles (Charlie) Joseph CristFlorida Democrats mired in division, debts before 2022 Lawmakers bet barbecue, candy and crab claws before Super Bowl Crist leaves doors open to challenge DeSantis to Florida governor MORE sent a letter to acting US Attorney General Monty Wilkinson on Sunday, asking the Department of Justice (DOJ) to open an investigation into the Florida governor. Ron DeSantis
Ron DeSantis Governors in trouble because of their response to coronavirus Trump speaks at CPAC in his first public appearance since he left the DeSantis White House to lower Florida’s flags in honor of Limbaugh MORE (R) on allegations that the governor was selecting vaccine administration sites to benefit political supporters.
“I write with concern about reports that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is establishing coronavirus vaccine distribution and administration sites to select locations to benefit political allies and donors, the needs of high-risk communities and waiting lists. in the county, ”wrote Crist.
“In many cases, these sites appear to be targeted at wealthy communities with which Governor DeSantis has clear political connections, allowing some to jump to the front of the queue in counties with existing waiting lists,” continued the representative.
Crist pointed to a surprise announcement that DeSantis made on February 17 that 3,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine would be available to the wealthy Lakewood Ranch community in Manatee County. The parent company of Lakewood Ranch is owned by a large Republican donor who donated $ 900,000 to DeSantis, Crist said, also noting that the area had lower COVID-19 infection rates in the county.
Why is Governor DeSantis making policy on vaccine distribution? Your political allies and donors should not skip the line. Call for full DOJ investigation. pic.twitter.com/OTjpkdD1o4
– Congressman Charlie Crist (@RepCharlieCrist) February 21, 2021
Crist himself is a former governor of Florida and earlier this month did not rule out the DeSantis challenge in 2022.
Many lawmakers and commentators have condemned the seemingly unfair distribution of coronavirus vaccines, with richer areas appearing to have priority over disadvantaged communities.
DeSantis countered criticism of his own vaccine distribution plan, getting even more reactions after threatened to divert vaccines away from the communities that criticized him.
“If there are going to be people who are going to complain about getting more vaccines, you know, I’m going to tell you something, I mean, I wouldn’t complain, I would be grateful that we can do that because, you know what, we don’t need to do that,” said DeSantis last week .
The Florida governor was accused of being too negligent in applying the coronavirus guidelines. An investigative report from Sun found that Florida health officials were invited by DeSantis’s office to avoid talking about the pandemic leading to the election.
“Defeating the COVID-19 pandemic should be our top priority. Given the enormous latitude that governors have over the distribution of vaccines, it would be unfair for political corruption to overcome justice and better medical guidance, ”wrote Crist. “These are literally life-and-death decisions. While I look forward to all Florida residents, in all communities, getting the vaccine as soon as possible, it must be made on the basis of justice, not political connection.”
The Hill contacted the DeSantis office for an answer.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Florida confirmed more than 1.8 million cases of coronavirus and nearly 30,000 deaths.