Surgeon General Joe Ladapo is receiving mounting criticism over alleged remarks directed at Florida state Senator Tina Polsky (D). As politicians from both sides of the aisle share their disapproval of the comments, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) is facing calls to withdraw his nomination of Ladapo for the top health position in the Sunshine State.
However, the Governor’s Press Secretary Christina Pushaw announced that DeSantis stands by Dr. Ladapo, and DeSantis took to social media to defend Ladapo’s record in office.
On Facebook, DeSantis highlighted that “34 days ago, State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo signed a rule that empowered Florida parents, eliminated healthy quarantines, and kept healthy kids in school.” DeSantis added that “today, Florida has the lowest COVID-19 rate in the country, and our schools have seen a 76% decrease in COVID-19 cases since the day the new policy went into effect (and a 90% decrease since August).”
After news began to circulate regarding the interaction between Ladapo and Polsky, Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson (R) condemned Ladapo’s alleged comments, and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) directed a letter to the Governor, calling for Ladapo’s nomination to be withdrawn.
Ahead of the Senate’s confirmation vote, which will decide whether Ladapo remains in the top health position in the state, Florida Governor DeSantis is doubling down on his support.
In an email directed to the media, Pushaw stated that “Governor DeSantis stands by the surgeon general’s qualifications for this important role and is not reconsidering the nomination.”
“For any public figure, criticism from media, activist groups, and political opponents is an expected part of the job,” Pushaw wrote, adding that “this is especially true for a leader like Governor DeSantis, who is unafraid to challenge establishment narratives.”
Taking this into account, Pushaw expressed that “the governor respects everyone’s right to express their own opinion, but he will not allow political attacks or misinformed critiques to distract him from his job leading our state and making policies that improve Floridians’ lives.”
