FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — There’s been a last-minute twist in the saga of Broward school board member-elect Rod Velez.
Velez, who won election to the board in November for the District 1 seat, had not been sworn in yet as he awaited clarification over whether a past felony conviction disqualified him from office.
In 1995, Velez pleaded guilty to aggravated battery.
Less than 20 minutes before Velez’s planned swearing-in Thursday morning, the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that the governor declared Velez’s seat on the board vacant — and that DeSantis would pick a replacement.
DeSantis then announced that he would select Daniel Foganholi to take Velez’s place on the board.
Foganholi had just wrapped up a brief term as a school board member for District 5, sworn-in in May to replace Rosalind Osgood, who was elected to the Florida State Senate.
A spokesperson for DeSantis released the following statement after he issued an executive order declaring the vacancy:
After his scheduled 11 a.m. swearing-in got cancelled, Velez addressed local media outlets, promising a fight.
“This is far from over. The people did vote for me — 30,735,” Velez said. “I’m not in there right now, where I should be. So, once again, our governor is playing politics.”
Velez said he was speaking with his attorneys to figure out what legal action they plan to take on his behalf.
Foganholi, Velez’s replacement, lives in Coral Springs, which is outside of District 1.
Appointed officials are not required to live within their districts, but they must reside in the district if they hope to be elected.
This is a developing story. Stay with Local 10 News and Local10.com for updates.
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