FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 10, 2018
CONTACT: Ed Gilhuly, LEFT Communication

Statement from registered nurse Betsy Marville of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East regarding GOP gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis airing false storm-related attack ads in the middle of a real life-threatening Category 4 hurricane hitting the Florida Panhandle:

“As nurses and healthcare workers who have been on the frontlines in the aftermath of hurricanes and other natural disasters in Florida, Puerto Rico, Haiti and more, we’re disgusted that a candidate would run a false attack to politicize a storm…right as Hurricane Michael is crashing into our state.

"Meteorologists say this Category 4 storm is the worst in recorded history to hit the Panhandle, and we say these ads from Ron DeSantis are some of the worst, most shameful in Florida’s political history.  These despicable ads should come down immediately so Floridians can focus on public safety rather than be distracted by dirty political tricks.

"Ron DeSantis has a history of exploiting hurricane victims and playing politics with disaster relief.  He voted against FEMA funding for the victims of Hurricane Sandy which brought such misery to millions in New Jersey.

"Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, the target of DeSantis’ false attacks, has come off the campaign trail to focus completely on hurricane preparedness and response, working to protect his city and provide a place of refuge to North Floridians evacuating the coast.

"Florida needs real leaders like Andrew Gillum, especially in times of crisis, not deceitful partisan political opportunists.”

--- Betsy Marville, Registered Nurse and 1199SEIU Florida Nurse Organizer

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1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East Florida represents more than 24,000 nurses and healthcare workers throughout the state.  The organization is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. Our mission is to achieve affordable, high quality healthcare for all. 1199SEIU is part of the 2.1 million-member Service Employees International Union.