ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – On Election Day, Monique Worrell found herself immersed in a familiar routine: greeting voters, waving signs, and driving to polling stations.
By evening, she was at home with her family, anxiously awaiting results alongside close friends.
[LEARN MORE: Who is Monique Worrell?]
While her race was just one of many pivotal contests on the ballot, Worrell couldn’t help but feel the weight of what lay ahead.
“I didn’t know how much of the good work I did would be remembered,” she said.
The barrage of negative ads-funded by over $2.5 million from opposing parties-lingered in her thoughts.
Despite reassurances from some that her victory was certain, Worrell stayed cautious.
“I think that’s arrogant,” she said. “There’s a small section of people who know me personally, know my work, but that’s not everyone. I was outspent by $2 million.”
When the results came in, Worrell was vindicated.
She secured the seat with 413,000 votes, a decisive margin, even as the opposition’s ads played incessantly.
“The people stood up and rejected the lies,” she shared.
Facing Uncertainty After Victory
While many candidates might celebrate such a victory with plans for transition and governance, Worrell’s reality is far more complex.
She acknowledged the challenges ahead, saying, “I may never actually make it to the seat that people elected me to go to.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Worrell from her position in August of 2023, allegedly for being too soft on crime.
The governor appointed Andrew Bain as the 9th Circuit State Attorney.
Worrell challenged the suspension but lost that argument in June when the Florida Supreme Court, which has many justices appointed by DeSantis, backed the suspension.
Worrell ended up taking on Bain in the election and winning overwhelmingly.
Now that she has won again, will the governor try to remove her again?
Despite the hurdles, Worrell draws strength from the trust placed in her by the voters.
Her ability to win by a large margin, even after being outspent, speaks volumes about the community’s confidence in her work, she said.
“They trust me enough to allow me to continue,” she said. “That’s a really big deal.”
As she looks toward the future, Worrell remains grounded in her mission to serve Central Florida.
“It’s not just about me,” she said. “It’s about what this means for our democracy and how we move forward as a community.”
Navigating the Next Four Years: Monique Worrell’s Perspective
As Worrell prepares for another term as State Attorney, she reflects on the immense challenges that await.
She compared the experience to a mouse in a cage with a snake, an environment fraught with tension and uncertainty.
“I don’t think anyone can be prepared for that,” she admitted, acknowledging the emotional toll of her work.
Transitioning Amid Tensions
Worrell described her current situation as a “hostile transition.”
She recently made public records requests to get a head count on employees to try and start building a team.
“This is not how it should work,” Worrell explained. “I should have full access to facilitate a seamless handover, but I’ve had to resort to public records requests just to gather basic information.”
Reflecting on her predecessor’s experience, Worrell noted that such obstruction isn’t unprecedented.
“Aramis Ayala faced similar challenges. She didn’t get access to the office until the day she was sworn in.”
Still, Worrell remains determined to prepare for her responsibilities, regardless of the circumstances.
Concerns About Democracy
The political climate surrounding Worrell’s election has raised broader concerns about democracy.
She pointed to actions by state officials that she believes undermine the will of the voters.
“When someone elected by 497,000 people can be removed from office without just cause, it’s hard not to question the state of democracy,” she said.
Worrell emphasized the need for stability in leadership. Frequent changes in the State Attorney’s Office, she argued, disrupt justice and weaken trust in the system. “In the last decade, we’ve seen five different administrations in this office. That kind of turnover hurts the community and the administration of justice.”
Looking Ahead
Worrell’s vision for her next term includes evaluating the office’s current state and determining what needs to change.
She intends to assess existing policies, identify high-priority cases, and ensure the office is staffed with individuals who share her philosophy of justice.
“It’s not about tearing down everything the previous administration did,” Worrell said. “It’s about figuring out what’s working and what isn’t, and making the changes needed to align with the will of the voters.”
Worrell remains hopeful but cautious about what lies ahead. “I can’t predict what January 7 will look like,” she said, referencing the official start of her term.
“But I will proceed as though the will of the voters matters.”