Here’s Why Gov. DeSantis Backed Out of Lee Zeldin $25,000-a-Plate Fundraiser

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis backed out of a fundraiser for New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin to attend a Monday memorial service for a member of his security detail who died in the line of duty, according to the New York Post.

JUST IN: Gov. DeSantis Pulls Out of $25,000 Per Plate Zeldin Fundraiser Due to “Unforeseen Tragedy”

"Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent Jose Perez was responding to a call in an unmarked cruiser on Aug. 2 when he was struck by Javier Sandoval, 35, in Miami," The Post stated.

Perez was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries and died on Aug. 20.

“Today we mourn the tragic loss of FDLE Special Agent Jose Perez, who died in the line of duty,” Florida first lady Casey DeSantis wrote on Twitter ahead of the service Monday.

“With over 20 years in the U.S. armed forces & more than 30 years in law enforcement, he lived a valiant life serving our nation & state. The entire @fdlepio community is in our prayers.”

Today we mourn the tragic loss of FDLE Special Agent Jose Perez, who died in the line of duty. With over 20 years in the U.S. armed forces & more than 30 years in law enforcement, he lived a valiant life serving our nation & state. The entire @fdlepio community is in our prayers. pic.twitter.com/uLabr70SJh

— Casey DeSantis (@CaseyDeSantis) August 29, 2022

Ron DeSantis skips pricey fundraiser to attend memorial service for fallen member of his security detail https://t.co/amCdLC7lbK

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 29, 2022

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pulled out of as fundraiser for New York gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin so he could attend a memorial service for a member of his security detail, the New York Post reported. https://t.co/WEDg0zZNkG pic.twitter.com/316qFPvZv2

— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) August 30, 2022

Cont. from the New York Post:

DeSantis was slated to headline a $25,000-a-plate fundraiser for Zeldin in Oyster Bay on Sunday night, an event the candidate’s reps said was expected to raise nearly $1 million.

Conservative commentator Dan Bongino filled in for DeSantis, sources said.

Zeldin told attendees that Perez was part of DeSantis’ security team and that he was returning to Florida to attend the service in his honor.

While unable to attend the evening event, DeSantis was in Deal, New Jersey, earlier in the day at the home of Jay Cayre, head of Midtown Equities, sources told The Post.

A spokesperson for Zeldin said DeSantis would return to New York at a later date for an event with the candidate.