In a surprising turn of events, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed Lt. Keith Pearson as sheriff of St. Lucie County, following the sudden resignation of Sheriff Ken Mascara.
The decision has sparked controversy among local Republican leaders, who have urged the governor to reconsider his choice.
Mascara, a Democrat serving his sixth term, announced his abrupt retirement on the same day Pearson was appointed. In a public letter, Mascara cited ongoing health issues as the reason for his departure. However, attempts to reach Mascara for further comment have been unsuccessful.
Pearson, who has already filed paperwork to run as a Republican in the 2024 sheriff's election, was promoted past higher-ranking individuals at the agency, a move that has raised eyebrows among local party officials. Kenny Nail, chairman of the St. Lucie County Republican Executive Committee, expressed his shock at the decision, stating, "Pearson's name made no sense."
Nail also criticized the lack of communication from DeSantis' office prior to Pearson's appointment, describing it as unusual. He pointed out that all state legislators in the county are Republicans, including Toby Overdorf, Dana Trabulsy, Gayle Harrell, and Erin Grall. "For him not to consult any of them or the chairman, something smells like fish," Nail said.
In response to the appointment, a local GOP group held a press conference to urge DeSantis to reconsider his choice. They questioned why the governor would select a controversial figure as sheriff.
The group released a statement demanding Pearson's removal, accusing him of being part of a scheme by Mascara to secure his preferred successor for the 2024 election. They also referenced a report from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement implicating Pearson in an alleged plot to illegally influence the outcome of the 2020 sheriff election in St. Lucie County.
The report alleges that Pearson, while working under Mascara, conspired to facilitate a "ghost" candidacy in the 2020 sheriff race. It states, "On multiple instances from May 15, 2020 through November 3, 2020, Keith Pearson, knowingly conspired, confederated, abetted, and aided Ken Mascara while he was the incumbent St. Lucie County Sheriff and seeking re-election for said office in the 2020 election cycle, to facilitate Kevin Carters 'ghost' candidacy in the 2020 St. Lucie County Sheriff race."
The controversy surrounding Pearson's appointment and the allegations against him have led to an investigation that began this year. As the story unfolds, the local GOP group and other concerned parties are awaiting a response from Governor DeSantis.
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