District leaders verbally attacked my family

In an extraordinary letter to Seminole County commissioners, County Elections Director Chris Anderson said he was concerned “for the safety of my family and my own” after some county commissioners made “deeply disturbing” statements to him.

“What is particularly disturbing is that my wife and children have been included in these attacks by some members of the board (of county commissioners),” Anderson said in his June 18 letter. “Statements suggesting child abuse and the power some members of the board claim they have to remove individuals from the city.”

Anderson did not name any commissioners in his letter. But he told the Orlando Sentinel on Thursday that he was referring to a letter Commissioner Amy Lockhart sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis more than eight months ago, on Oct. 3, asking his office to investigate the election supervisor’s seemingly “erratic” and “combative” behavior. Lockhart said she has not received a response to that request.

Anderson’s new letter and statement to the Sentinel are the latest twist in an ugly dispute between the elections director – who was originally appointed to his post by DeSantis – and county leaders. Some of those leaders have now come out against Anderson’s re-election in August, an unusual move in this predominantly Republican county.

Lockhart’s letter to DeSantis in October was sparked by the most notable of these claims: an emotional video Anderson posted on TikTok in which he spoke about repeated racism among county leaders. Anderson is Seminole’s first black constitutional officer; Seminole County’s five commissioners are white.

Anderson, his wife and three children often create TikTok videos in which they share their opinions or opinions on various topics. He said, “It’s something we like to do as a family,” and the videos have become popular.

But in her letter to DeSantis, Lockhart said one of those videos featured an actor threatening to harm Anderson’s daughter.

“The film … begins with a terrifying looking ‘white-faced’ intruder holding a knife to the throat of Anderson’s sleeping young daughter,” Lockhart said in her letter. “The video was so disturbing that I reached out to a professional in our community for advice.”

Lockhart added in her letter that Anderson’s wife “publicly threatens and degrades members of the community.” She pointed to a May 2022 commission meeting where Anderson asked commissioners to expand his public office building.

“While Mr. Anderson was testifying, his wife could be seen sitting behind him, shaking her head and making distracted gestures that could be interpreted as attempts at influence and intimidation,” Lockhart wrote in her letter.

Anderson said he was still angry about Lockhart’s allegations.

“She is using her position of power to make it look like we are abusing our children with a letter on Seminole County letterhead to the governor’s office,” he said in the Sentinel interview.

“If they have concerns about the election, that’s one thing,” Anderson said. “But talking about my wife? What gave them the idea that a black woman in the audience is intimidating? Why is a person of color getting special attention?”

In a June 21 letter responding to Anderson’s allegations, commission chairman Jay Zembower said he and other board members were “deeply concerned” about the situation. He urged Anderson, a former deputy sheriff and police officer, to contact law enforcement if he feels threatened.

“In addition, the panel requests that you promptly provide the District Attorney with all materials, written statements and other evidence supporting these allegations,” Zembower’s letter continues.

At the district commission meeting on Tuesday, Zembower brought up the issue again.

“I don’t think any of us would support this behavior,” Zembower said of Anderson’s allegations. “We want to make sure that people don’t have to fear for their lives or the lives of their families or their children.”

But Lockhart said in an interview Thursday that she stands by her letter to DeSantis.

“It’s unfortunate that he persists with this letter,” she said. “I spoke clearly and honestly and I can understand why he doesn’t like it.”

Anderson took office in January 2019 after being appointed by DeSantis to succeed Mike Ertel, who was appointed Florida Secretary of State.

In 2020, Anderson was elected to a four-year term. He will face school board member Amy Pennock in the Republican primary on August 20 and seek re-election. The winner will face Democrat Deborah Poulalion in the general election on November 5.