Former COVID data critic allowed to remain in House race pending review of lower court decision by state appellate court
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A former employee of the state Department of Health who got national attention for questioning the data on Florida’s COVID-19 dashboard will be allowed to run as a Democrat against Republican U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz for now.
A lower court’s decision against Rebekah Jones that would have banned her from running for the Democratic nomination for the congressional seat in the Florida Panhandle has been placed on hold awaiting further review by a state appellate court.
The lower court had agreed with the reasons that were presented by Jones’s opponent for the nomination, which said that Jones had failed to meet a legal requirement of being a registered Democrat for at least 365 days prior to qualifying for the post. Jones could still be kicked out of the race if the Florida First District Court of Appeal makes an adverse ruling.
Jones’ opponent in the race to become the Democratic nominee in the mainly Republican district that includes Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties is Peggy Schiller.
When she said that she was sacked from her post at the state for bringing to light concerns with the COVID-19 dashboard, Jones attracted the attention of people all around the country. After receiving many disciplinary measures from the state, they said she was fired for insubordination.
