TALLAHASSEE – Pete Antonacci, a political take care of-it person who garnered bipartisan praise all through a occupation in general public services that spanned extra than three many years, died of a coronary heart assault Friday afternoon.
Antonacci, a previous prosecutor, and supervisor of elections, most recently headed a controversial new state place of work charged with probing voting irregularities.
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Antonacci,73, as director of the Business of Election Crimes and Security in July.
“He was a focused, tenacious, and assiduous public servant, attorney, and respected qualified — a pal to all in the condition of Florida,” DeSantis stated in a statement Friday, introducing that Antonacci “vigilantly sought to uphold the law throughout his prolonged occupation” in the point out.
“His preventing enthusiasm will be missed, and his legacy will persist in the hearts and minds of many.”
Governors turned to Antonacci to straighten out tangles in troubled offices ranging from the Broward County elections business office to the South Florida Drinking water Management District.
Antonacci, whose loss of life was initial documented by Florida Politics, was appointed final 12 months by DeSantis and the Cabinet as chief decide of the state Division of Administrative Hearings, prior to being tapped this summer time to direct the place of work that critics have dubbed the “elections law enforcement.”
His profession also bundled stints as CEO of the condition business enterprise-recruitment agency Organization Florida and state legal professional in Palm Beach County.
Antonacci invested 12 many years working for the outstanding GrayRobinson legislation organization in Tallahassee.
Former Gov. Rick Scott appointed Antonacci, a longtime ally, to choose above as Broward County elections supervisor just after suspending Brenda Snipes from the post in 2018 shortly before Scott still left the governor’s business office.
DeSantis later on properly undid Snipes’ suspension but stored Antonacci in area.
In addition to the elections supervisor, Scott appointed Antonacci as state lawyer in Palm Beach front County executive director of the South Florida H2o Management District and CEO of Business Florida. Antonacci also served as Scott’s typical counsel.
Antonacci “leaves behind a extraordinary legacy of honorable company” to the condition, Scott, now a U.S. senator, mentioned in a assertion Friday.
“Ann and I are devastated to find out of his reduction and are praying for his relatives, friends, and the innumerable Floridians who realized and loved Pete as we did. Pete was a very pleased Floridian, lifted in Hialeah, and devoted many years of his existence to serving Florida households as a prosecutor, master of the regulation and chief. When it arrived to his work, Pete could get anything at all accomplished,” Scott claimed, referring to his wife, Ann.
Antonacci “labored tricky, with whole integrity, and realized how to provide individuals alongside one another and resolve troubles.
I was honored to contact him a pal and happy to work with him,” Scott added.
Though Antonacci experienced a extensive historical past of currently being a go-to man for Republicans, he also held a significant-ranking position below former Attorney General Bob Butterworth, a Democrat.
In addition, former Democratic Gov. Bob Graham appointed Antonacci as a “specially assigned prosecutor throughout the point out,” according to a profile on The Federalist Society’s web page.
Antonacci “was past a shadow of a doubt 1 of the best people today I have at any time had the honor of being aware of,” Steve Vancore, a longtime mate, explained to The News Company of Florida on Friday.
“He wasn’t just a jack of all trades but was an organizational master who comprehended how to carry out the greatest in people. Florida was blessed outside of evaluate to have experienced him for as extended as we did.”
Vancore’s community-relations business worked for the Broward elections office whilst Antonacci was supervisor.
Antonacci’s brief time at the new elections stability office incorporated some controversy.
Antonacci in August joined DeSantis at a information conference in Broward County to announce that 20 felons throughout the condition were getting arrested on allegations they voted illegally in 2020.
“You may well think that 20 voters is not a large amount. But you happen to be in Broward County. And you know that you just elected a particular person to Congress right here this calendar year by 5 votes,” Antonacci stated at the Aug. 18 occasion, alluding to a close particular congressional election. “And I’m certain that in that tranche of voters, there have (been) loads of illegal ballots solid.”
Although elections supervisors ended up skeptical about the creation of the new place of work, Antonacci’s collection to head it supplied reassurances.
“I think Pete Antonacci was a established public servant. He was constantly put in scenarios which ended up politically fraught, but in all the arenas I labored with him, which was usually elections, he was constantly incredibly honest, open up-minded, willing to listen, constantly required to find out prior to he acted,” Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Earley, who is the president of the Florida Supervisors of Elections association, instructed the News Support. “I’m just shocked that he’s not going to be with us any longer in that submit. I believe he was the proper person for the job, so it is likely to be appealing to see how factors evolve from that.”
Information of Antonacci’s sudden loss of life rippled via the state, with condolences and praise rolling in on social media and in electronic mail inboxes.
“Devastated to learn of the passing of previous Deputy AG Pete Antonacci. Pete was an very-talented lawyer who employed his experience to provide the condition in essential management roles. A lot of lawyers on my staff worked with Pete and we are heartbroken by this horrible information,” Lawyer Common Ashley Moody tweeted.
Charlie Crist, a previous governor who is jogging versus DeSantis in November, also hailed Antonacci.
“Peter Antonacci was a focused and respected community servant with a prolonged background of working with customers from the two sides of the aisle to superior Florida. May possibly he relaxation in peace,” Crist campaign spokeswoman Samantha Ramirez explained in a assertion.
