Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appointed two businessmen to the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Board of Governors – the tax-exempt, government-owned property insurer of last resort in the Sunshine State – after they donated thousands of dollars to his presidential campaign.
The news comes at the same time Floridians find their insurance rates skyrocketing as a result of a major, state-wide, industry scandal.
Carlos contributed the maximum donation of $6,600 to the Ron DeSantis for President campaign committee – as did his wife – earlier this year.
Jamie Shelton, appointed to the Board on the same day as Beruff in early October, also gave the DeSantis campaign a maximum donation in May.
The appointments have led to accusations of “pay for play” in the Floridian government. Governor DeSantis has been accused of both granting favors to and receiving favors from multiple wealthy benefactors, as well as pressuring lobbyists into funding his presidential run.
Early on in his campaign, Florida lobbyists were sent texts by publicly-funded state employees, supposedly acting in a personal capacity, soliciting donations through a text system tracking who was and was not giving money.
“What the f— am I supposed to do?” said one lobbyist who felt he might be punished for declining the request. “I have a lot of business in front of the DeSantis administration.”
KEY QUOTE: “Beyond the ongoing DHS funding impasse, congressional disapproval in Gallup’s April 1-15 poll may reflect Republicans’ frustration over Congress 
