Controversy Swirls: Conservatives Criticize University of Florida Presidential Finalist for Being ‘Too Woke’

Weekly Political Update from the News Service of Florida
By Jim Turner ©2025 The News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE — Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed support for the University of Florida Board of Trustees as it considers hiring Santa Ono, the current president of the University of Michigan, as UF’s next president. This decision comes amid criticism from some conservative circles regarding Ono’s past statements on diversity and inclusion.

In a recent appearance in Tampa, DeSantis stated that he trusts the board, led by his appointee, Mori Hosseini. He emphasized, “We reject woke indoctrination in Florida’s higher education system.”

The search committee for the university has recommended Ono, who is the only candidate being considered. He has served as president since 2022 and previously held top positions at the University of British Columbia and the University of Cincinnati.

Some conservatives are unhappy with Ono’s selection. U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds voiced his opinion on Fox Business, arguing that the search should be restarted because he feels Ono’s views are misaligned with the values of Florida. Christopher Rufo, another prominent figure in conservative education reform, criticized him on social media, calling Ono a supporter of “DEI 2.0,” a modern version of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives.

Despite the backlash, DeSantis pointed out that Florida is a leader in removing DEI programs from state universities. Before Ono can officially take the role, he needs the green light from the board of trustees and the state university system’s Board of Governors. Their next meeting is scheduled for June 5.

Budget Negotiations Ahead

As Florida lawmakers prepare for a new budget session, discussions are heating up. They didn’t finalize a budget before the last session ended, requiring them to reconvene to negotiate funding and proposals.

Kim Dinkins from 1000 Friends of Florida highlighted how this delay is affecting key programs, including land conservation and affordable housing. Over 1,770 bills were proposed this session, but only 250 gained approval from both chambers. So far, DeSantis has signed 19 of those into law.

Environmental groups like Sierra Club Florida are pushing for legislation to protect state parks from development. They urge residents to contact the governor’s office to support a bill aimed at stopping the construction of golf courses in these spaces. DeSantis has indicated he would support this bill.

Social Media Highlights

In a recent tweet, Governor DeSantis stated, “Today I was in Miami to support SB 700, which bans local governments from unilaterally adding fluoride to public drinking water. With wide access to topical fluoride, there’s no need to medicate entire communities without their consent.”

This tweet confirms his government’s commitment to reducing perceived overreach in public health measures. His sentiment reflects a growing trend among conservative leadership focused on personal choice in healthcare. Recent surveys suggest that many Americans are increasingly skeptical of government mandates surrounding health interventions.

The upcoming decisions and discussions in Florida will likely have lasting impacts on education, environmental policies, and public health guidelines. As these events unfold, public engagement remains crucial for shaping policies that align with community values.

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