Chuck Clemons has attacked our local community, cannot legally do the job, and cannot credibly represent UF or its community.

Why this matters:
The University of Florida is reportedly considering former State Representative Chuck Clemons for the role of Vice President for Government and Community Relations, an incredibly important position that requires leadership, trust-building, and the ability to advocate for the university at every level of government. Chuck Clemons is unqualified for this role. 

Here’s why:

• He is legally barred from lobbying.
  The job description makes clear that lobbying the state is one of, if not the, central responsibility of this role.  Under the Florida Constitution, Clemons is prohibited from lobbying the state legislature for six years after leaving office. That means he cannot legally perform one of the central functions of this position, representing UF’s interests in Tallahassee.

• He has a track record of hostility and political interference.
  The UF job states that the VP should “strengthen and maintain positive town/gown relations.”  Yet Clemons has repeatedly worked to disempower local government and suggested dissolving the very city UF calls home. He has created deep mistrust among civic leaders and community members through inflammatory rhetoric and top-down interference.
  • Publicly raised the idea of dissolving the City of Gainesville, where UF is located
  • Attacked the elected Mayor of Gainesville and high level city staff with baseless legal accusations and calls for resignations, using his office to publicly smear local leaders
  • Undermined local control of Gainesville Regional Utilities by pushing for a state takeover which is broadly unpopular within Gainesville, then publicly urged that board to escalate its attacks on Gainesville
  • Led the charge to override a local school vote to take a public school, Newberry Elementary, and convert it into a charter school despite not winning a majority
  • Voted to weaken faculty unions, including those representing educators at UF
  • Supported policies that cut thousands of dollars in funding and staff support for student groups, including those organized by the Black Student Union and Pride Student Union

•  He cannot credibly represent UF’s students, faculty, or community.
  Clemons has worked against the very people he would now be expected to serve and support  including public educators, student groups, and local civic leaders. His divisive, hyper-partisan political history makes him the wrong choice to build relationships, foster trust, or represent the University of Florida with integrity.

We need leadership, not partisanship.
This is a high-profile role that affects the entire university community. The University of Florida should commit to a transparent, merit-based search process and select a candidate with a proven record of ethical leadership, collaboration, and respect for public institutions, not someone who has actively worked to undermine them.

The University must also be open and transparent about how a politically connected insider who cannot legally lobby the state for six years and lacks the credibility to strengthen local relationships, was considered for such a highly paid and strategically important position that requires both of those. Floridians deserve better from our flagship institution.

CALL TO ACTION:
✍️ Sign this petition to tell the University of Florida to:
Reconsider Chuck Clemons’ appointment and create a public oversight committee to build trust that the VP is working for the betterment of UF and the community–not partisanship.