Alex Andrade, still criticizing James Uthmeier, hasn’t decided how he will vote in November AG race

While Attorney General James Uthmeier won the GOP nomination without opposition, one Republican official in the Legislature continues to criticize him.

State Rep. Alex Andrade, a Pensacola Republican who spearheaded an investigation of state funding directed to campaigns managed by Uthmeier, has hammered the appointed official. Criticisms stepped up as Uthmeier involved himself in the controversial hiring of a new acting President of the University of Florida.

Andrade spotlighted multiple posts by Jeremy Redfern, a spokesperson for Uthmeier, slamming Board of Governors Chair Alan Levine over Levine’s demand the hiring of Stuart Bell be paused. Andrade noted that Uthmeier served as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Chief of Staff when Levine was appointed, while also raising the Hope Florida scandal.

“Jeremy’s boss, AG James Uthmeier, stole $10,000,000 in Medicaid funds in 2024,” Andrade posted on X.  “They can’t even spot the moral high ground, let alone assert it.”

DeSantis last year appointed Uthmeier as Attorney General, filling a post vacated when the Governor named former Attorney General Ashley Moody to a U.S. Senate seat. Uthmeier this November is running for his first full term.

Critics of Andrade’s investigation last year often accused him of trying to impact the elections. But Uthmeier this month secured the GOP nomination for his Cabinet post without opposition, with no other Republican qualifying for the ballot. He will face Democrat José Javier Rodríguez in November.

Certainly, Andrade isn’t endorsing the Democrat in the race. But how will he vote? On that, Andrade declined to comment.

“I don’t know yet,” he said. “I haven’t decided.”

As for criticizing the GOP’s only candidate in the race, Andrade said he isn’t concerned with the election.

“I don’t plan on getting involved in the race. Telling the truth and exposing corruption shouldn’t be viewed from a political lens. As a public official, I have an obligation to do that,” he said.

“I firmly believe that anyone that steals $10,000,000 from Medicaid is incompetent to oversee Florida’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and can’t be trusted to faithfully enforce our laws.”

Uthmeier’s Office brushed off the critiques when asked.

“James is the Attorney General of Florida, has Floridians’ overwhelming support as the GOP’s AG nominee in November, and the full endorsement of President Donald J. Trump,” Redfern said in response to a request for comment.

“He’s returned over $1 billion back to consumers, taken on predators who try to exploit our kids, and increased prosecutions of fentanyl traffickers by nearly 700% since taking office. Florida’s never had more statewide criminal convictions in history, which explains why crime is at a record low. Nobody is more qualified for the job.”

Andrade said has largely tried to avoid political discourse. Term limits prohibit him from seeking re-election to his House seat and he has no plans to run for office again. He isn’t heavily invested in what happens at UF, but was struck that Uthmeier, who controversially also gets paid six figures as an adjunct professor at UF, would weigh in.

“He still hasn’t ever answered if took a plane to Gainesville for that lucrative side gig,” Andrade said. “How much waste and abuse has he taken for himself?”

His gripe with Uthmeier is nothing new, he stressed. But it has gotten more attention as the election draws closer. “All I can do is call out corruption,” Andrade said.