Democratic Florida Rep. Charlie Crist
Charles (Charlie) Joseph Crist Florida Democrats Stuck In Division, Debt For 2022 Lawmakers Betting Barbecue, Candy And Crab Claws For Super Bowl Crist Leaves Door Open To Challenge DeSantis To Florida Governor MORE sent a letter to Acting U.S. Attorney General Monty Wilkinson Sunday, calling on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
Ron DeSantis Governors in hot water over their coronavirus response Trump speaks to CPAC in first public appearance since the White House left DeSantis to lower Florida flags in honor of Limbaugh MORE (R) on allegations that the governor selected vaccine administration sites for the benefit of political supporters.
“I am writing with concern at reports that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is setting up coronavirus vaccine distribution and delivery sites to select sites that benefit political allies and donors, rather than meeting the needs of communities with a higher risk and existing waiting lists in the province, ”wrote Crist.
“In several cases, these sites appear to be targeting wealthy communities with which Governor DeSantis has clear political ties, allowing some to jump forward into provinces with existing waiting lists,” the representative continued.
Crist pointed to a surprise announcement made by DeSantis on Feb. 17 that 3,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine would be available to the wealthy Lakewood Ranch community in Manatee County. Lakewood Ranch’s parent company is owned by a major 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 playing politically with the distribution of vaccines? His political allies and donors cannot skip the line. Call for full DOJ investigation. pic.twitter.com/OTjpkdD1o4
– Congressman Charlie Crist (@RepCharlieCrist) February 21, 2021
Crist himself is a former Florida governor and earlier this month did not rule out challenging DeSantis in 2022.
Many lawmakers and commentators have criticized the seemingly unjust distribution of coronavirus vaccines, with wealthier areas appearing to take precedence over disadvantaged communities.
DeSantis fired back at criticism of its own vaccine distribution plan, then faced further backlash threatened to divert vaccines away from communities that have criticized him.
“If there are people going to be complaining about getting more vaccines, you know, I’ll tell you what, I mean, I wouldn’t complain, I’d be grateful we could do it because, you know what, we did not to do this at all, ”said DeSantis last week.
The Florida governor has been accused of being too lax in enforcing coronavirus guidelines. A Sun investigative report found that Florida health officials had been asked to do so by DeSantis’ office avoid talking about the pandemic prior to the election.
“Defeating the COVID-19 pandemic must be our top priority. Given the tremendous leeway that governors have over vaccine distribution, it would be unscrupulous if political corruption trumps both fairness and the best medical guidance,” Crist wrote. “These are literally life or death decisions. While I desire that every Floridian, in every community, gets the vaccine as soon as possible, it should be based on fairness, not political connection.”
The Hill has contacted DeSantis’s office for response.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Florida has confirmed more than 1.8 million coronavirus cases and nearly 30,000 deaths.