Former Florida State Attorney Andrew Warren (D-FL) announced that he would not pursue reelection to the position in 2024. He was removed by Governor and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis (R-FL) in August of 2022.
As reported by the Tampa Bay Times, Warren believes Gov. DeSantis would remove him once again should he win reelection.
In a news release, the former prosecutor stated, “Donald Trump said he could shoot someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue and get away with it. Ron DeSantis, trying to out-Trump Trump, shot democracy in the middle of our courthouse — and he’s gotten away with it.”
Currently, Suzy Lopez (R-FL) is running unopposed for the Hillsborough County State Attorney position. She was appointed by Gov. DeSantis after Warren’s removal.
As reported by The Floridian, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) suspended Warren for his refusal to prosecute individuals who violated Florida's new 15-week abortion ban. Additionally, he would supposedly not enforce prohibitions on sex change surgery for minors.
"Individual prosecutors take it upon themselves to decide which laws they like and will enforce, and which laws they don't like and won't enforce," said DeSantis justifying his position. He added that Warren "put himself above the law."
In September of 2022, Warren cited an opinion piece from Sun Sentinel in which the authors believed DeSantis’ move to remove Warren was unconstitutional.
From members of the Commission who approved the Constitutional section at issue:
“the governor’s suspension is unconstitutional…We know what that section means and it does not give DeSantis the authority to do what he did.”
“…an egregious violation of the will of the voters.” https://t.co/gjsyFptQX1— Andrew Warren (@AndrewWarrenFL) September 4, 2022
"From members of the Commission who approved the Constitutional section at issue: ‘the governor’s suspension is unconstitutional…We know what that section means and it does not give DeSantis the authority to do what he did,'’” Warren noted. He continued by showcasing the article’s work, saying that DeSantis’ decision was “…an egregious violation of the will of the voters.”
At the time, however, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister stood by Gov. DeSantis' suspension of Warren. Chronister said Warren is "intently focused on empathy for criminals and less interested in pursuing justice for crime victims."
In August of 2022, DeSantis also suspended State Attorney Monique Worrell of the Orlando area.
In a press release, Gov. DeSantis's Executive Office said that Worrell's "practices and policies have too often allowed violent criminals to escape the full consequences of their criminal conduct, thereby endangering the innocent civilians of Orange and Osceola counties."
