Former North Florida Congresswoman Gwen Graham is no longer a part of the Rebuild 850 fundraising effort. In a series of tweets Monday, Graham says she was told by “a friend” to step down from her leadership role with the organization over comments Graham has made regarding Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“Yesterday, a friend called to tell me that because I have been tough on our new Governor – calling him out on Twitter and Facebook for policies I believe are harmful to Florida – I will no longer continue as co-chair of Rebuild 850," she said in a sseries of twitter messages.
Yesterday, a friend called to tell me that because I have been tough on our new Governor – calling him out on Twitter and Facebook for policies I believe are harmful to Florida – I will no longer continue as co-chair of Rebuild 850.
— Gwen Graham (@GwenGraham) September 30, 2019
Florida Politics reports that “friend” is Ron Sachs, the Founder of Sachs Media Group. He told the political blog that he found Graham’s tweets about DeSantis to be “so political, partisan and even personal as to cross the line.” Sachs said he feared it would bring “a partisan stain to the organization and its efforts," and Graham said as much in her tweets.
However, if my passion for Florida and my commitment to speaking the truth when this Governor's policies cause her harm cannot be reconciled with my co-chairmanship of Rebuild 850, then so be it. I consider this extremely unfortunate -- but I will not be silenced.
— Gwen Graham (@GwenGraham) September 30, 2019
Graham ran for governor last year, but lost the Democratic primary to former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum. Days before being removed from Rebuild 850, Graham critized DeSantis over his "Presidential Protection Fundraising campaign," for President Donald Trump.
Do NOT believe the @GovRonDeSantis’ bipartisan spin. He is a mini @realDonaldTrump. To the Floridians (Rs, Ds, Is) who have said, “He isn’t as bad as I thought he would be.” I say, “No, he is worse.” Pay attention, Florida. Actions speak louder than words.https://t.co/vxrm1pT1KQ
— Gwen Graham (@GwenGraham) September 26, 2019
She also knocked DeSantis for picking an administrative law judge with no judicial experience:
Do NOT believe the @GovRonDeSantis’ bipartisan spin. He is a mini @realDonaldTrump. To the Floridians (Rs, Ds, Is) who have said, “He isn’t as bad as I thought he would be.” I say, “No, he is worse.” Pay attention, Florida. Actions speak louder than words.https://t.co/vxrm1pT1KQ
— Gwen Graham (@GwenGraham) September 26, 2019
Graham had co-chaired Rebuild 850 alongside former Republican House Speakers Will Weatherford and Alan Bense. The Tallahassee Democrat reports the two men agreed with the decision to remove Graham.
