Inweekly has learned that Gov. Rick Scott weighed in on the selection of the new University of West Florida president. Last night, he called several trustees recommending that they vote for Dr. Martha Saunders.
Saunders was selected by a 9-4 vote. The four votes were cast for State Sen. Don Gaetz, who had battled Gov. Scott during the past two legislative sessions. The governor did not tell any of the trustees or their employers that he was against Gaetz, only that he thought Saunders was an excellent candidate.
Some were told by others that the State Board of Governors would reject Gaetz if he was passed forward as the next president – which would have taken a two-thirds vote.
The pressure from Gov. Scott turned what was expected to be a close vote to a landslide for Saunders.