Senate votes to codify DeSantis’ faith initiative, drawing criticism over anti-abortion campaigning

The Senate voted Thursday to codify Gov. Ron DeSantis’ faith and community initiative amid scrutiny of the initiative’s former leader’s involvement in campaigning against the unsuccessful abortion-rights amendment.

Senators’ 27-9 vote to ensure that an office of faith and community would remain in the executive branch after DeSantis’ term ends came a week after it became known that the initiative’s liaison had stepped down to lead an anti-abortion policy council.

Although all Republicans voted for the bill, SB 820, two also supported an amendment from Boca Raton Democratic Sen. Tina Polsky prohibiting the liaison from participating in political campaigns while on duty and using the office to influence people’s votes.

Polsky read emails from Erik Dellenback, the former liaison, sent to faith leaders across the state advocating against the amendment to protect abortion access under the governor’s masthead. Polsky brought up Dellenback’s remarks framing the abortion-rights amendment as a biblical issue during an event held by Florida Family Voice, the group he’s now CEO of.

“We’ve seen the abuse in this last election cycle of using the governor’s office, using state agencies, and using this office of faith and community to promote a particular viewpoint, and you can’t say it’s not political,” Polsky said. Her amendment failed.

Former Senate President Don Gaetz and Miami Republican Sen. Alexis Calatayud voted for Polsky’s amendment.

Dellenback left both his role with the faith and community initiative and as executive director of Hope Florida. News of the resignation emerged as the House deepened its probe into the Hope Florida Foundation, the charity associated with First Lady Casey DeSantis’ initiative.

Jacksonville Republican Sen. Clay Yarborough, who’s sponsoring the proposal, said that the Florida Supreme Court dismissed a complaint over state officials’ involvement against the abortion-rights amendment. The court said the attorney who filed the suit lacked standing to do so as a civilian.

“My opinion on the issue is not relevant to the bill that’s before us,” Yarborough said regarding how he felt about the emails Dellenback had sent.

However, Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo said that DeSantis’ influence makes it impossible for Floridians to file complaints against government officials, pointing out that the governor appointed his former chief of staff, James Uthmeier, as the new attorney general.

“There’s not even a lieutenant governor to try to reason with,” Pizzo said. “Right now, in the four corners of Florida, where is the ability to redress or have recourse of your grievance?”

The House bill, HB 293, has cleared all of its committee stops but has not been scheduled for a House vote.