TAMPA -- Governor DeSantis is sticking by University of Florida presidential finalist Santa Ono, despite controversy over his past comments on diversity, equity and inclusion.
As University of Michigan president, Santa Ono said he supported DEI on several occasions. At one conference, he supported going beyond "DEI 1.0" to "DEI 2.0."
Ono later closed Michigan's DEI office after executive orders by President Trump.
DeSantis says Ono made his earlier comments when D-E-I was the price of admission to a prestigious university.
Christopher Rufo, a board of trustees member at New College of Florida in Sarasota, opposes the pick.
Congressman Byron Donalds, who's running for governor, wants to reopen the search.
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