Politics
Retired Colonel Rudy Moise: Ideal Pick for U.S. Ambassador to Haiti
MIAMI, Fla. (FNN) — During National Military Appreciation Month and Haitian Heritage Month, Florida National News highlights an exceptional Haitian-American leader: Dr. Rudolph “Rudy” Moise, a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, attorney, physician, actor, philanthropist, and former Haitian Ambassador at Large.
Ideal candidate for US Ambassador to Haiti
Moise is an ideal candidate for any U.S. President’s shortlist for U.S. Ambassador to Haiti — a critical post for advancing stability, democracy, and economic opportunity in the Caribbean nation.
Source: NBC News 6 Miami
Colonel Rudy Moise, US Air Force Reserve
A proud U.S. Air Force Reserve veteran with over 21 years of military service, Moise earned the rank of Colonel — the highest rank achieved by a Haitian-American at the time. Throughout his military career, he served as Chief of Aerospace Medicine and Chief of Hospital Services at the 482nd Medical Squadron, as well as in key leadership roles at Dobbins Air Reserve Base and Robins Air Force Base in Georgia.
Ambassador at Large, Republic of Haiti
“Following his military retirement, Moise was appointed by Haitian President Michel Martelly as Ambassador at Large for Investment. In this role, he collaborated with the Haitian government, international partners, and the Haitian diaspora to attract trade and development initiatives. He unveiled strategies to promote tourism, revitalize agricultural production, create jobs, attract foreign capital, and rehabilitate the environment.”
U.S. Senate on Foreign Relations Committee Testimony
Moise’s credibility on U.S. foreign policy toward Haiti is well established. In 2003, he testified before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee about Haiti’s humanitarian crisis and offered strategic policy recommendations. The following year, Florida Governor Jeb Bush appointed Moise to the Commission on Haiti, reinforcing his position as a trusted advisor on Haitian-American relations.
Philanthropist
In addition to public service, Moise’s humanitarian efforts are deeply rooted. In 2010, just days after the devastating Haiti earthquake, Moise personally traveled with a disaster rescue team, pulling survivors from rubble and saving 11 lives. Upon returning to the U.S., he led a drive to collect and ship over 300,000 donated relief items to the people of Haiti.
Source: NBC News 6 Miami
His list of accolades includes the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden in 2023, recognizing his decades of service to both the United States and Haiti.
The American Dream
A native of Port-au-Prince, Moise embodies the American Dream. Arriving in the U.S. at age 17, he went on to earn a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law, and a Flight Surgeon Degree from the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine.
With his combined experience as a military officer, diplomat, physician, attorney, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Rudy Moise brings unmatched leadership and a unique, culturally resonant voice to U.S. diplomatic strategy in Haiti. He would be a transformative, healing presence as U.S. Ambassador to Haiti.
____________________________________________________________________
J Willie David, III
News@FloridaNationalNews.com
Florida
DeSantis’ New Florida Congressional Map Could Spark Lawsuits, Legislative Showdown, and Statewide Protests
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a proposed congressional redistricting map that could significantly reshape Florida’s representation in the U.S. House ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The proposal, released Monday, outlines districts that could favor Republicans in 24 seats, compared to four Democratic-leaning districts. Currently, Florida’s congressional delegation includes 20 Republicans and seven Democrats, with one vacant seat.
REDISTRICTING PROPOSAL & POLITICAL IMPACT
The governor said the new map reflects Florida’s population changes and fulfills his commitment to mid-decade redistricting. Lawmakers have been called into a special legislative session to consider the proposal.
The map appears to eliminate four Democratic-held seats, including a Tampa-area district represented by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, an Osceola County district held by U.S. Rep. Darren Soto—the first Puerto Rican elected to Congress from Florida—and a Palm Beach-Broward district that could displace U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz.
The proposal also affects a majority-Black voting district spanning Palm Beach and Broward counties, previously represented by former U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, raising concerns about the future of minority representation.
Supporters, including Evan Power, say the map could better align districts with voter distribution. Critics, including Nikki Fried, have called the proposal unconstitutional gerrymandering. Florida law prohibits partisan gerrymandering, setting up potential legal challenges.
Rep. Tray McCurdy, D-Orlando and Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville sit on the Florida Seal in protest as debate stops on Senate Bill 2-C: Establishing the Congressional Districts of the State in the House of Representatives Thursday, April 21, 2022 at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. Rep. Daisy Morales, D-Orlando, joins the protest, holding a sign. The session was halted on the protest. (AP Photo/Phil Sears)
LOOKING BACK: 2022 PROTESTS OVER REDISTRICTING
The current debate mirrors tensions from 2022, when Democratic lawmakers staged a sit-in protest on the Florida House floor in opposition to a previous congressional map backed by DeSantis.
Lawmakers including Yvonne Hinson, Angie Nixon, Travaris McCurdy, Felicia Robinson, and Daisy Morales participated in the protest, temporarily halting legislative proceedings.
Morales, a member of the Congressional Redistricting Subcommittee and the only Hispanic lawmaker involved in the sit-in, strongly criticized the map at the time.
“Our democracy is being attacked. The governor eliminating two Black congressional seats is a power grab and it’s wrong,” Morales said in a written statement. “Stripping seats from Black representation is the same as saying the Black voice—the Black vote—doesn’t matter.”
She also warned about potential impacts on Hispanic representation:
“With this map passing, I’m deeply concerned it could target the only Puerto Rican representing Florida in Congress, Darren Soto, to benefit partisan interests. We don’t want to disenfranchise the 1.2 million Puerto Ricans in Florida.”
WHAT COMES NEXT IN 2026
As lawmakers prepare to debate the new proposal, Democrats are expected to push back through legal challenges, legislative opposition, and public advocacy.
The outcome of Florida’s redistricting battle could play a pivotal role in shaping control of the U.S. House and influence the national political landscape heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
Politics
Gov. Ron DeSantis Orders Flags at Half-Staff for Slain Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy M. Metayer Bowen
Crimes and Courts
Florida Creates Public Assistance Fraud Task Force, Appoints Special Prosecutor to Crack Down on Fraud
