How Rick Scott’s Words Helped Derail Santa Ono’s Future in Florida

The political winds in Florida blew hard against Santa Ono’s bid to become the next president of the University of Florida — and Senator Rick Scott may have delivered the final gust. Once seen as the obvious choice to lead the state’s premier academic institution, the former University of Michigan president found himself at the center of a political firestorm, largely fueled by Scott’s public condemnation just one day before the pivotal vote.

On June 2, just hours ahead of the Florida Board of Governors’ decision, Rick Scott took to social media platform X to issue a blistering takedown of Ono’s record. “Clearly, Ono has a concerning record… where he allowed an illegal, pro-terrorist encampment to take over the campus, putting Jewish students in danger,” Scott posted, referencing pro-Palestinian protests at the University of Michigan earlier this year. He further accused Ono of “embracing radical DEI policies” and prioritizing far-left agendas over student safety.

Although the University of Florida Board of Trustees had unanimously approved Ono’s nomination, Scott’s message echoed a broader conservative outcry brewing in Florida’s political ranks. With DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives already under siege by Governor Ron DeSantis, Scott’s statement served as a green light for opposition to harden.

When the Board of Governors convened the following day, they voted 10–6 to reject Ono’s appointment, marking one of the rare moments in Florida’s academic history where the Governors overturned a unanimous trustee decision. Board members interrogated Ono’s ideological history, and while some defended his leadership and experience, others directly echoed the concerns raised by Scott.

Political analysts now view Scott’s timing and tone as a strategic move that intensified pressure on the Board and aligned the outcome with Florida’s broader crackdown on what it deems “woke” culture in education. In fact, Scott’s remarks were retweeted and endorsed by other Republican figures, including Donald Trump Jr. and Rep. Byron Donalds, further amplifying the opposition narrative.

This isn’t the first time the Florida Senator — and former governor — has leveraged his influence on higher education matters. Known for his tough stances and sharp messaging, Scott’s role in this case underscores how national political figures can sway local institutional decisions, especially in ideologically sensitive environments.

With Santa Ono now out of the picture, the University of Florida is left restarting its search, while Rick Scott once again proves that a few carefully chosen words from a seasoned political operator can shift the direction of a state’s academic future.