A FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY

On August 9, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis removed Monique Worrell, the duly elected state attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Florida, from her democratically elected seat. This removal was without legal cause or merit, and her suspension is without pay. The law is not on Governor DeSantis’ side and State Attorney Worrell will fight the legality of this suspension in court.

On September 6, 2023, State Attorney Worrell filed a lawsuit against the governor, stating that the governor's executive order of suspension did not state any constitutional basis for State Attorney Worrell's suspension. The Florida Supreme Court set the schedules for responses in October and November. Oral arguments are scheduled before the Court on December 6, 2023.

Monique is a fighter. Outside of the legal approach to fighting this wrongful suspension, Monique has courageously decided that she won’t turn her back on the people who elected her. She will stand firm and continue to fight for the people of Orange & Osceola Counties by seeking re-election to her seat. She wants to continue to maintain public safety and reduce crime in our communities. The statistics show she has done just that. She wants to ensure that this seat will not be tarnished by what the governor has done. She is committed to creating pathways for the people to continue to put officials in office by their vote, not by the unilateral actions of one person sitting in Tallahassee.

Monique is not a career politician. She only sought this seat after realizing it was her duty to serve. Running for office has a large personal and family impact during an election season. Running is expensive and is a 24-hour per day job. It takes both an emotional toll and a financial one. But, Monique continues to stand strong with the people who elected her and are still with her to this day.

The generosity of strangers has asked for a mechanism to provide support. That is what this call for support is. Monique cannot practice law unless she cedes to the Governor, admits wrongdoing, and resigns from her seat. And given the demands of an election, short-term employment opportunities, which will allow her to focus on the campaign and work she was called to do, are nearly impossible to find immediately, although she is committed to the search for an opportunity. This call to support is to continue to fuel Monique financially while she continues the fight. It's for personal household expenses because her income was stripped from her family at a moment’s notice. Campaign donations cannot support her household and they cannot support Monique personally. Your gifts can provide that needed financial support during this time.

This call to support is not one for Monique’s campaign or campaign expenses. Donations will not be considered donations to the campaign. It’s for the Worrell household.

Your support of Monique is not a political issue. You’re standing for democracy, saying that regardless of your political stance, when officials are elected by the people, they’re entitled to their job, even if we don’t like the way they do it. You’re standing by one of your very own community members who has selflessly dedicated herself to the community and public service for over 23 years. You’re standing by a mother of three children who has been suspended from her job and prohibited from the practice of law, the only way she has earned a living for the last 23 years.

Thank you for your consideration of support. All donations made here will be deposited directly to the Worrell household and are subject to Florida reporting requirements for elected officials.