Florida Governor Takes Action To Avoid Another Election 'Circus'

WEST PALM BEACH, FL — Saying "we cannot have another circus" Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday ordered the suspension of Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher and acknowledged the resignation of Broward Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes, formally terminating her duties. The action came two months after Florida's general election brought the new governor to office amid concerns over the handling of results.

"I think that there were a train of problems," DeSantis said, addressing reporters outside the Historical Society of Palm Beach County. "I think that it was not just there was a mistake here, a mistake there. It really tarnished the image of the state of Florida, and I think unfairly, and so, I want to make sure it doesn't happen again."

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In one executive order, DeSantis suspended Bucher, effective immediately based on a recommendation by Florida Secretary of State Michael Ertel.

The governor said 65 out of Florida's 67 counties ran "good elections," including Bay County, which was still reeling from Hurricane Michael at the time.

Snipes became a particular focus of criticism for her handling of the election returns. Broward reported thousands of additional votes after Election Day, leading to persistent protests outside Snipes' Lauderhill offices. President Trump referred to what he called "the Broward effect" in criticizing the handling of Florida results.

Snipes played into the narrative of incompetence when her staff worked for days on the machine recount of the Florida Senate race, governor's race and commissioner of agriculture contest only to submit the results two minutes too late to be counted. She also later acknowledged that her office misplaced more than 2,000 ballots during the recount.

"Bucher demonstrated she was unable to comply with the laws of our state and her duties as the supervisor of elections and failed to accurately report information related to the number of ballots that had been cast," DeSantis explained with respect to the Palm Beach County official.

Overall, he described Florida's recent election as nothing short of chaotic. "You had the whole country basically laughing at us," DeSantis acknowledged.

The governor appointed attorney Wendy Sartory to replace Bucher as Palm Beach County supervisor of elections, He also appointed Afghanistan veteran Chris Anderson on Friday as Seminole County Supervisor of Elections to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Ertel, who became Florida's secretary of state.

In other administrative actions announced Friday, DeSantis retracted 46 nominations made by former Gov. Rick Scott as he was leaving office on Jan. 4 and 7. One of the nominations was that of Parkland parent Andrew Pollack, who had been tapped to serve on the state board of education. All of the appointments required confirmation by the Florida Senate.

“I agree many of these individuals are outstanding citizens who are experts in their respected fields,” said DeSantis. “I thank these individuals for their willingness to serve our state. They will be afforded every consideration as my office re-opens the application process to fill these critical appointment vacancies.”

Anderson previously served as a deputy sheriff in Seminole and Indian River Counties. He was a deputized as a United States Marshal and most recently served as the chief investigations officer for the Seminole County Tax Collector’s office.

Sartory has more than 25 years of legal experience in private practice and serves on 11 boards or commissions. She is president of Wendy Sartory Link, PLLC and has experience developing strategic initiatives, crisis management and leadership development, according to the governor's office.

Former Gov. Rick Scott, who is now serving in the U.S. Senate, previously appointed Peter Antonacci to replace Snipes. Antonacci had been serving as the president and CEO of Enterprise Florida. Prior to that, he served as executive director of the South Florida Water Management District and as general counsel for the governor.

"I think that Broward and Palm Beach really stood alone in some of the problems, and I think that we just need to correct them," DeSantis added.

Gov. Ron DeSantis photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images