DeSantis-appointed county commissioner resigns after alleged Ku Klux Klan photo emerges

Moore, a Republican, was nominated by DeSantis for commissioner in early August. The governor’s office confirmed Monday that Moore resigned last week, but said it did not know why.

« We are in the middle of preparing for the hurricane, I’m not aware of the photo you sent but Jeff tendered his resignation last week, » said Taryn Fenske, director of communications for DeSantis.

On Monday, Moore said he was in the midst of preparations for Hurricane Ian and would contact him on Tuesday or Wednesday. He has since not responded to multiple requests for comment.

The footage began circulating in Gadsden County in recent weeks and was forwarded to Young’s office last Tuesday by a group of people in the county.

« It was the first time I saw them or started dealing with them, » he said. « He told me it was a suit. »

Gadsden County is located in rural North Florida along the Georgia border and has a black population of 55%, one of the highest in the state. When DeSantis appointed Moore, he was the only non-black member of the county commission.

« I’m not surprised Governor DeSantis is appointing someone with this ideology, » NAACP Tallahassee Chapter President Mutaqee Akbar said. « Even if they didn’t know the picture, that’s the kind of person I can see him choosing. »