Gov. DeSantis skips NY political fundraiser to honor Hispanic law enforcement agent

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis chose to stay in Florida Sunday night to pay respects to a fallen security detail member instead of headlining a Sunday evening political fundraiser for New York gubernatorial candidate, Rep. Lee Zeldin.  

The Florida governor’s absence initially sparked media chatter as pundits speculated as to why DeSantis was absent since he was scheduled to headline the event for his Northeastern Republican ally, but reports indicate DeSantis stayed behind so he could attend a Monday memorial service for a member of his security detail who died in the line of duty.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent Jose Perez was killed while responding to a call in an unmarked police vehicle on Aug. 2 when his vehicle was struck by Javier Sandoval, 35, in Miami.

Perez was taken to an area hospital and treated for serious injuries, later died on Aug. 20, and Sandoval was detained and charges with 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 tweeted just before the Monday service. “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.”

The popular Florida governor was a long anticipated guest speaker at Zeldin’s fundraiser, which was charging $25,000 a plate in Oyster Bay and expected to raise as much as $1 million.

FOX commentator Dan Bongino took DeSantis’s place, however and Zeldin reportedly explained those attending the important reason why DeSantis chose to stay behind and that the Florida governor had pledged to come back to the Empire State in the near future.