Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis backed out of a fundraiser for New York gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin to attend a Monday memorial service for a member of his security detail who died in the line of duty, sources told The Post.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent Jose Perez was responding to a call in an unmarked cruiser on Aug. 2 when he was struck by Javier Sandoval, 35, in Miami.
Perez was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries and died on Aug. 20.
Sandoval was later arrested and hit with several charges, including DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide.
“Today we mourn the tragic loss of FDLE Special Agent Jose Perez, who died in the line of duty,” Florida first lady Casey DeSantis wrote on Twitter ahead of the service Monday. “With over 20 years in the U.S. armed forces & more than 30 years in law enforcement, he lived a valiant life serving our nation & state. The entire @fdlepio community is in our prayers.”
DeSantis was slated to headline a $25,000-a-plate fundraiser for Zeldin in Oyster Bay on Sunday night, an event the candidate’s reps said was expected to raise nearly $1 million.
Conservative commentator Dan Bongino filled in for DeSantis, sources said.
Zeldin told attendees that Perez was part of DeSantis’ security team and that he was returning to Florida to attend the service in his honor.
While unable to attend the evening event, DeSantis was in Deal, New Jersey, earlier in the day at the home of Jay Cayre, head of Midtown Equities, sources told The Post.
A spokesperson for Zeldin said DeSantis would return to New York at a later date for an event with the candidate.
Ron is showing that he truly cares for the men and women who work to protect him, but I guarantee that the MSM and DNC will start screaming “HE’S DOING IT FOR CLOUT, YOU MUST HATE HIM BECAUSE WE SAY SO, REEEEEEEEEE”
He is such a good Leader, you would think that every one would want him as Governor or President
Governor De Santis is a TRUE leader and statesman! He cares about not only the people of Florida but everyone in our country! He is a good God fearing man, a credit to the office he holds and to his state. Governors everywhere should follow his lead, our country would be a better place. God bless Governor De Santis and his beautiful family, and keep them safe!
Couldn’t say it any better! I pray he rises in our political cesspool and shines light on our country!
$25,000 a plate huh ?..We peons are struggling trying to feed our families and pay our bills and those assholes shell out big bucks like it’s peanuts to get some other rich asshole elected so he or she can continue to screw us at every opportunity …25 grand will buy a lot of groceries and pay a lot of bills…the establishment keeps on churning..
You are lumping them all together. Do you know anything detrimental about Zeldin himself?? He has to be better than what they have now!! Yes, there are a number of dirty, greedy, power hungry politicians in office now; that’s why we have to study candidates’ backgrounds and try to elect new and better men or women to the office !! Do not condemn them allll ! It’s a perfect reason for calling for the Convention of States and Use Article V of the Constitution to bring the legal control of government back to the States !
To me, DeSantis is a perfect candidate whether it be POTUS or VPOTIS. If he’s on the ticket, he’ll make it a sure winner.
Here is a man who cares about people! After Trump, DeSantis for two terms! Life CAN be good!