Rebekah Jones to speak at meeting of Venice Area Democratic Club on June 18

Whistleblower in Florida Department of Health COVID-19 data controversy seeking to run against U.S. Rep. Matt Gatz

Rebekah Jones. Contributed image

Rebekah Jones, a candidate for Congress in Florida District 1, will speak at the June 18 meeting of the Venice Area Democratic Club, the organization has announced.

The meeting will be conducted in-person at NAAR Hall, which is located at 620 Shamrock Blvd. in Venice, a news release says. However, a virtual attendance option is available, the release adds. The meeting will start at 10:30 a.m.

Jones is the data scientist who “blew the whistle” on the Florida Department of Health’s alleged manipulation of COVID-19 data, on behalf of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration, the release points out. She is seeking the Democratic Party nomination to oppose U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz in November. In recent polling, she leads Gaetz “in an extremely Red district that has not elected a Democrat since 1990,” the release notes.

“Venice Democrats believe in science, and in truth,” said Mike Shlasko, president of the Venice Area Democratic Club, in the release. “We are extremely pleased to host the data scientist who has stood up against a Governor who consistently puts politics ahead of public health.” Shlasko added in the release.

Pre-registration information is available at https://www.venicedemocrats.org/events.

Founded in 2001 and chartered by the Florida Democratic Party, the Venice Area Democratic Club is one of the oldest and largest such organizations in the state, the release points out.