Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints Moms for Liberty co-founder to state Commission on Ethics

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed a co-founder of Moms for Liberty, a “parental rights” group that has sought to take over college boards in a number of states, to the Florida Commission on Ethics on Wednesday.

Tina Descovich was named to the nine-member, Tallahassee-based fee, which investigates alleged breaches of public belief by elected and appointed officers, in addition to state staff.

Descovich was beforehand elected to the School Board of Brevard County in 2016 and served as president of the Florida Coalition of School Board Members.

Moms for Liberty began with Descovich and two different Florida ladies combating COVID-19 restrictions in 2021. It has rapidly ascended as a nationwide participant in Republican politics, helped alongside the best way by the group’s political coaching and shut relationships with high-profile GOP teams and lawmakers.

The group’s help for varsity alternative and the “fundamental rights of parents” to direct their kids’s training has additionally drawn allies such because the conservative Heritage Foundation.

DeSantis spoke at Moms for Liberty occasions in Tampa final 12 months and in Philadelphia earlier this 12 months. The Republican governor additionally mentioned his presidential marketing campaign on the group’s podcast in July.

Moms for Liberty has been labeled an “extremist” group by the Southern Poverty Law Center for allegedly harassing group members, advancing anti-LGBTQ+ misinformation and combating to clean various and inclusive materials from lesson plans.

Along with Descovich, DeSantis additionally appointed South Florida lawyer Luis Fuste to the fee. Both will should be accredited by the Florida Senate.

Former fee chair Glen Gilzean resigned from the unpaid place final month after a authorized opinion mentioned he was unable to concurrently serve on the fee and work for the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. The particular taxing district for the land of Walt Disney World Resort was created earlier this 12 months as a part of an ongoing feud between Disney and DeSantis. Gilzean earns $400,000 yearly because the district’s administrator.