TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Dr. Joseph Ladapo, Florida’s controversial surgeon general, is one vote away from being confirmed by the Florida Senate, despite strong opposition from Democrats who say he has failed to promote COVID-19 vaccines, masks and other measures to slow the spread of the virus.
The Senate’s Ethics and Elections Committee voted 5-4 on party lines in favor of Ladapo’s confirmation. The full Senate will vote next on his confirmation.
Grilled by Democrats over his stance on COVID-19 shots, Ladapo wouldn’t say whether he had gotten the vaccine and a booster dose, saying it is his private medical information. As surgeon general, Ladapo oversees the Department of Health and is Florida’s top public health official.
