THE Senate Higher Education Credit Committee voted unanimously to appoint the former representative. Joel Rudman At Pensacola State College Board of Trustees.
The Navarre Republican was confronted with the troubles of the Committee on the basis of the comments he made on a recent conversation on the X spaces. The senators said that his apparent threats to exhibit or embarrass the legislators if he was not confirmed would not be tolerated.
“There is no way to read these comments and, with a right face, tell people that they did not intend to intimidate and influence the senators on this panel,” said the senator. Tom LeekA Republican by Ormond Beach, “And that’s something I can’t respect.”
The comments in question included remarks that the legislators had committed crimes, as well as affirmations that he knew embarrassing details on elected officials serving in the Legislative Assembly.
“I have a confirmation audience in front of the Senate on Tuesday. Some of these cards that I have to keep on myself,” said Rudman on X.
“We must test the drug that our legislators read between the lines. I will not call any name. I know where the bodies are buried, but if they come after me during this confirmation audience on Tuesday, we may be making another space, and I can give you some names. Let’s see how they behave on Tuesday. “
Rudman, in the committee, told senators that his online rhetoric was intended for the management of the Chamber.
“The current configuration of Florida House is, they cancel the hard work of Tom Leek. They annoy the hard work of Paul Renner“Said Rudman.
This reflects the frustration he has expressed since the start of the legislative session and a conviction that the speaker Daniel Perez was “itching for a fight“With the governor Ron Desantis.
Rudman won the elections in district 3 of the house in 2022 and again in 2024, but resigned to run For the congress during a special election in the 1st district of the Congress in Florida. He lost In a republican primary to the representative now in the United States. Jimmy PatronisA Republican of Fort Walton, but the resignation of Rudman was irrevocable.
Desantis appointed Rudman at one of the many openings of the Consulting Council of Pensacola in February.
The senators offered different criticism from Rudman. Senator Carlos Guillermo SmithAn Orlando Democrat, said he was frustrated that Desantis chose Rudman, doctor and former legislator, for appointment.
“These appointments with various boards of directors of our state, they are distributed as loyalty trophies,” he said.
Indeed, Rudman was at a Pensacola press conference Shortly before testifying to the committee to defend Desantis and the First Lady Casey Desantis While criticizing the room, as representatives of the lower chamber increases the pressure on the hope of expenses in Florida.
Some legislators considered themselves political allies with Rudman during his stay at home. But they said that threatening rhetoric was impossible to ignore.
“I do not believe that I am able to vote to confirm in the future,” said the senator. Danny BurgessA republican of Zephyrhills. “And it hurts me to do that, because I also know Doc and I enjoyed a good relationship with him, but I just think that these comments really painted us in a certain corner where we only find ourselves with this result.”
The committee’s negative vote does not end the confirmation process. Rudman’s appointment could move forward to the Senate Committee for Ethics and Elections. But the reaction of the senators said it is unlikely that Rudman will be confirmed on the Senate soil.
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