The father of a student killed in the Parkland shooting is angry at Florida’s Democratic candidate for governor for campaigning with the man he says is “partially responsible” for 17 deaths, including his daughter’s.
Andrew Pollack’s daughter Meadow was a senior at Stoneman Douglas High School set to graduate this past June. She was shot nine times in a third floor hallway on Valentine’s Day, her last act of love, wrapping her arms around a freshman for protection.
Pollack is an outspoken Republican who says it’s “absolutely disgraceful” that Andrew Gillum would side with Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel.
“Since my daughter was murdered, I’m just on a crusade,” Pollack told 8 On Your Side in March.
“I got the power of a lion going through me and I’m not gonna stop.”
Pollack issued a statement through the Republican Party of Florida in response to a South Florida Sun Sentinel article that reported Gillum will hold a fundraiser on Friday with Israel in Fort Lauderdale.
“Sheriff Scott Israel’s failed leadership is partially responsible for the death of my daughter Meadow and the many other victims who were murdered or injured at Marjory Stoneman Douglas,” said Pollack.
“It is absolutely disgraceful that Andrew Gillum would campaign with Sheriff Israel. Gillum is siding with Sheriff Israel above the interests of our students and citizens, making our schools and communities less safe. We need to elect Ron DeSantis so people like Sheriff Israel can be held accountable and removed from office.”
Florida Democrats have been mixed on whether Israel should be fired. He is serving his second term as the Democratic sheriff of Florida’s second-largest county.
The Gillum campaign did not respond to 8 On Your Side’s request for comment on Pollack’s statement.
