'I Felt It Needed To Be Done': Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis On Senate Removal Of Scott Israel As Broward Sheriff

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) – Even though the Florida Senate permanently removed Sheriff Scott Israel from office yesterday he's made clear that this is not the last we will hear from him.

On Wednesday, Florida Senators removed former Broward Sheriff Scott Israel from his job.

"Scott Israel is hereby removed from the position of Sheriff of Broward County," announced Sen. Bill Galvano (R-Manatee), following the 25-15 senate vote on Wednesday.

The decision drew praise from Governor Ron DeSantis who set this process in motion just days he took office when he suspended Israel alleging incompetence and negligence by Israel at the airport and Parkland shootings.

"I felt it needed to be done," DeSantis told reporters. "The Senate felt it needed to be done and we move on, now were going to continue to do the people's business."

DeSantis also addressed the Parkland families, several of whom watched the proceedings from the Senate Gallery on Wednesday.

"The Parkland families have been through a lot," he said. "I think it was a relief and they were very satisfied with the vote."

But Israel has made clear in recent interviews that this is not the end of his story.

"I just want to get back to doing the job I was elected to do," he said at a September news conference after the special master overseeing his Senate trial recommended that he be reinstated.

Israel, a Democrat, plans to seek re-election as Broward Sheriff in 2020. He rose through the ranks at the Fort Lauderdale Police department, served as police chief for North Bay Village and he was elected BSO Sheriff twice, first in 2012. Israel maintains lots of support in Broward County.

"No other Sheriff has been as accessible as Scott Israel to the point where the average residents have his cellphone number. No other sheriff has attended to issues that may not be law enforcement related. He's fed people, given out turkeys, given out toys. He has gone above and beyond the law enforcement perspective of being a sheriff," said Pastor Allen Jackson.

One of Israel's opponents in 2020 is expected to be current Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony, Broward's first African American sheriff. DeSantis appointed Tony when he suspended Israel in early January. Tony is a Retired Sergeant with Coral Springs police and a Criminal Justice Doctorate degree candidate. He also holds a master degree from Nova Southeastern University.

Tony already has the backing of many families of Parkland victims, including Lori Alhadeff, whose daughter Alyssa was murdered at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. She and others believe Tony is making important changes in terms of training and morale.

"We will work very hard to make sure Gregory Tony remains the sheriff of Broward County," she said.

Plus the Parkland families say Israel failed them and the county when he and BSO were needed most.

"I would ask the people that would think about supporting him to look at the facts here," said Tony Montalto, whose daughter Gina was murdered at MSD. "Look at the failures on multiple levels before, during and after the Parkland shootings."

Tony released a statement on Thursday addressing the Senate vote on Wednesday.

"The decision by the Florida Senate represents the conclusion of a lawful process permissible by the Florida Constitution. The scope of their entire evaluation and decision has held no bearing on the responsibilities, obligations or oath we've taken to protect and serve our residents," the statement says. "We at BSO are focused on delivering the highest level of service to the nearly two million Broward County residents. We will continue correcting long-ignored issues of the past by putting public safety first."

According to the Broward Supervisor of Elections Office, seven candidates have filed to run for Broward Sheriff and all but one are Democrats. Sheriff Tony has not yet filed. So far, Scott Israel has a commanding lead in donations. He's raised more than $100,000.