Jane MusgraveDeSantis will decide who replaces Joe Abruzzo, who is leaving to be Palm Beach County administrator
When Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller Joe Abruzzo was tapped Tuesday to become county administrator, it set off a flurry of speculation about who Gov. Ron DeSantis would pick to replace him.
Top among those mentioned is Florida state Rep. Mike Caruso, a West Palm Beach Republican who stood by DeSantis during the recently concluded legislative session that exploded in GOP bickering.
Editor’s note: DeSantis appointed Caruso to be county clerk on Aug. 18, as detailed by Stet News here.
But Caruso may be in line for a bigger job.
DeSantis may reward Caruso’s allegiance by tapping him as lieutenant governor or chief financial officer, according to The Capitolist, a right-leaning online news site. Both positions have been vacant for months, but DeSantis has pledged to fill them soon.
Other names mentioned to replace Abruzzo are: Michael Barnett, who DeSantis in 2023 appointed to the County Commission, and former Democratic County Commissioner Robert Weinroth, now registered as a Republican.
Some said not to count out Abruzzo’s top lieutenant, Chief Deputy Clerk Shannon Ramsey Chessman. In 2020, she announced her candidacy for the post, but dropped out when Abruzzo entered the race. While she was then a Democrat, she has since changed her party affiliation to Republican, elections records show.
Most of the good money is on Caruso because of his recent high-profile, and politically risky, support of DeSantis. But, if he gets either of the state posts, Barnett becomes the favorite for the Palm Beach County clerk job.
Reached by telephone, the 66-year-old Delray Beach resident said he would like to serve as the state’s second-in-command so he could work closely with DeSantis. But, he said, his long career as a CPA would also make him a good fit as the state’s CFO or as county clerk, which also serves as the county’s auditor and finance officer.
“That’s right in my wheelhouse,” he said. “But, then again, I would love to serve under the governor.”
He said he had not spoken specifically to DeSantis about his future but expected a decision on the top state jobs by the end of next week.
The lieutenant governor’s spot has been empty since February when Jeanette Nuñez was appointed president of Florida International University. Former CFO Jimmy Patronis left in April when he won a seat in Congress.
“I can’t predict what the governor is going to do,” Caruso said. “But I’d be honored to serve wherever he wants me.”
Neither Barnett, Weinroth nor Ramsey-Chessman returned phone calls for comment.
Barnett, a lawyer and former chair of the Palm Beach County Republican Party, lost his commission seat in November when he was defeated by Commissioner Joel Flores. In February, DeSantis appointed him to the board of trustees of Palm Beach State College.
Weinroth, also a lawyer, lost his bid for re-election in 2022 to Commissioner Marci Woodward. Then a Democrat, he switched parties and last year was defeated in a six-way Republican primary to represent mainly Broward County voters in congressional District 23.
Andre Fladell, a longtime south county political powerbroker, said Caruso’s appointment makes sense.
“It could be Mike Caruso, who risked his political career for the governor,” he said, referring to the nasty dispute in which Caruso sided with DeSantis against top GOP lawmakers. “Or it could be Michael Barnett, who has already been rewarded by the governor.”
As a CPA, Caruso has the skills needed to oversee the office that has a $75 million budget and 650 workers and handles the county’s multibillion-dollar investments. “He’s very competent and it would be an easy placement for the governor,” Fladell said.
Further, Caruso’s term ends in November 2026 and term limits prevent him from seeking a fifth term. His wife, Tracy, is campaigning to replace him.
The timing of the appointment is uncertain. Abruzzo is negotiating up to a $477,000 annual contract with County Mayor Maria Marino, which will determine his start date. According to state law, Chief Judge Glenn Kelley would appoint a temporary replacement. Then, DeSantis would appoint someone to serve until the November 2026 election.
