Florida lawmakers have been divided on Governor Ron DeSantis’ (R) decision to lift the remaining COVID-19 restrictions across the state. While Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) and Florida Rep. Charlie Crist (D) have both criticized DeSantis, with the former likening him to Castro and then Crist announcing his gubernatorial bid, there is one more lawmaker that has hinted at a statewide run and has also been critical of the Governor for his decision.
Florida Rep. Anna Eskimani (D) aimed verbal jabs at the Florida Governor, slamming him for signing the GOP election integrity bill as propagating "voter suppression" and also sharing her disagreement with the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.
News surfaced that Governor DeSantis would be signing the election integrity bill in West Palm Beach on Thursday. In response, Eskamani took to Twitter to voice her disapproval of the bill, which some lawmakers have said is only a way for the GOP to uphold voter suppression.
**Update— DeSantis just signed SB 90 into law.
This bill is 100% unnecessary, especially when you consider our Governor’s own comments on how well Florida’s elections were conducted in 2020. It’s a tactic at voter suppression and should be vetoed, not signed! https://t.co/nVvfWo8hk7
— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) May 5, 2021
“This bill is 100% unnecessary,” she shared, expressing that it’s arbitrary “especially when you consider our Governor’s own comments on how well Florida’s elections were conducted in 2020.” She called it “a tactic at voter suppression” that “should be vetoed, not signed.”
The bill has received widespread condemnation from Florida Democrats, who like Eskamani, call it "voter suppression."
On the subject of COVID-19 restrictions, the Sunshine State lawmaker also shared an article discussing how many places will require that Floridians wear masks regardless of the Governor’s executive order.
This is a sentiment that other GOP members also share.
Cesar Conda, Florida Senator Marco Rubio's (R) former Chief of Staff and a former Domestic Policy Advisor to Vice President Dick Cheney (R), questioned "the GOP fixation on masks," adding that President Joe Biden (D) is a "greater threat to liberty/freedom."
Eskamani has not made an announcement regarding a possible statewide run, but it's hinted that she may run against Governor DeSantis or Senator Rubio in the upcoming midterm election.
