Jewish lawmaker flips endorsement to Trump, DeSantis camp decries as ‘political theater’
MELBOURNE BEACH, Fla. – Jewish Florida lawmaker Rep. Randy Fine, R-Melbourne Beach, has flipped his 2024 presidential endorsement from Gov. Ron DeSantis to former President Donald Trump.
Fine claimed the governor “said almost nothing” with regards to alleged antisemitic incidents in Florida.
In a statement to Florida’s Voice, DeSantis’ campaign called Fine’s comments “shameful political theater.”
“When it comes to standing in defense of Israel, he’s always been a leader who acts and delivers,” DeSantis campaign spokesperson Bryan Griffin told Florida’s Voice.
Fine wrote an article that was published in the Washington Times Monday, saying “every piece of legislation you hear him talk about regarding Jewish issues is one I wrote.”
“I love his words. His actions have broken my heart,” Fine said.
Fine said the past two weeks have made him realize “our choice as Jews is simple.”
“We can vote for the Governor who says all the right things, or we can vote for the President who actually does them. When it comes to action, Donald Trump has never let us down,” Fine wrote.
Fine said he helped fund a state Holocaust memorial before DeSantis got elected, but five years later, they “haven’t broken ground.”
“Governor DeSantis has taken longer to commemorate the deaths of six million Jews than it took the Allies to stop the deaths of six million more,” Fine said.
Fine said 18 months ago, multiple alleged antisemitic incidents happened in Florida, but “until a few weeks ago, Governor DeSantis said almost nothing. And worse, he did almost nothing.”
In response to Fine’s claims, the DeSantis campaign said the governor has led the charge to support Israel.
“This is nothing more than shameful political theater at a time when Ron DeSantis is leading the charge to support Israel,” Griffin said. “From working to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, to combatting antisemitism throughout Florida and its schools, to securing funding for security at Jewish schools and synagogues, there’s never been a more pro-Israel Governor.”
Griffin said when President Joe Biden “stood idly by, Ron DeSantis sent planes to bring over 700 Americans home to safety and called the Florida legislature back for a special session to levy sanctions against Iran and provide further protections to Jewish students and faith communities in Florida.”
Earlier in the month, Fine sent a letter to DeSantis, calling for the use of new laws as protests supporting Hamas’ actions on Israel take place at Florida colleges and universities.
“Any student participating in the rallies of these organizations must be treated like a student screaming the n-word and calling for Black students to be lynched. They would be expelled,” the letter said.
In response to Fine’s letter, a spokesperson for the governor’s office agreed that the laws “must be enforced” by universities.
He said university officials “must step up and protect Jewish students from threats of violence and intimidation,” noting that the governor “expects nothing less” than the full enforcement of Florida laws.
“That is why, under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, FDLE, FHP, the Attorney General, DOE, and the Board of Governors sent the attached memos reminding universities, colleges, and law enforcement throughout the state that they have a responsibility to protect the Jewish community from threats and unlawful harassment,” said Jeremy Redfern, DeSantis’ government office press secretary.
In May, DeSantis secured 2024 support from 99 of Florida’s 113 Republican state-level lawmakers, including Fine.
Sen. Joe Gruters, who endorsed Trump, responded to Fine’s decision and said, “Great decision, welcome to the team.”
Great decision, welcome to the team. @realDonaldTrump is who America needs to lead us now more than ever. https://t.co/N97uHagJcP
— Joe Gruters (@JoeGruters) October 24, 2023
On Tuesday, DeSantis announced almost 700 Americans have been flown to Florida from Israel so far under his emergency executive order, along with two cargo planes carrying 85 pallets of supplies.
JUST IN: Gov. Ron DeSantis announces almost 700 Americans have been flown to Florida from Israel so far under his emergency executive order, along with two cargo planes carrying 85 pallets of supplies
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) October 24, 2023
This week, DeSantis also grilled the Biden administration for its stance on accepting refugees into the U.S. from the Middle East and demanded students from abroad who are supporting Hamas’ terrorism be deported and have their visas canceled.
The Florida government has strongly responded to those demonstrations on universities in the Sunshine State and warned of potential lawbreaking.
DeSantis, running to become president in 2025, reiterated his message on accepting “zero” refugees from region surrounding Israel and vowing to cancel student visas of those who favor Hamas terrorism.
