ORLANDO, Fla. — Speaking just a day after current State Attorney Andrew Bain appeared to walk back comments about not being able to assist in a transition of power, incoming State Attorney Monique Worrell said she is looking forward to getting back to work.

What You Need To Know

  • On Tuesday, State Attorney-elect Monique Worrell said she’s looking forward to get back to work

  • Worrell spoke with Spectrum News peaking a day after current State Attorney Andrew Bain appeared to walk back comments in an internal email about not being able to assist in a transition of power

  • Worrell says she felt disheartened, but not surprised, by Bain’s initial stance

  • Bain has since said he is "ready and willing to ensure a smooth transition"

Worrell was suspended from office in August 2023 by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who accused her of failing to "faithfully prosecute crime." The governor appointed Bain to replace her.

In November, Worrell was re-elected to the post over Bain, who reportedly sent out an internal email recently titled "The Future is Uncertain." In it, he is quoted as saying that because Worrell's suspension was still in place, state statutes prevented him from assisting in the transition of power.

On Monday, Bain released a statement saying he was "ready and willing to ensure a smooth transition."

Discussing Bain's email Tuesday, Worrell said she wasn't sure what caused him to change course.

“So, he changed directions," she said. "What is the cause of that? I don’t know."

Worrell said she felt disheartened, but not surprised, by Bain’s internal email to employees.

“My hope is that on Jan. 6, he will leave, not to return, and then I’ll show up on Jan. 7, and resume the work that I left off on Aug. 8,” Worrell said.

Worrell said her focus will remain the same as before her suspension.

“All of the things that I said that I was running to do in 2020, to give people second chances, to give our children an opportunity to grow up to become productive citizens, to help victims, to achieve justice,” she said.

Worrell said she never discussed her suspension with DeSantis.

“I’ve never had a conversation with the governor, ever,” she said.

On election night, nearly 58% of voters re-elected her — Worrell won with 108,000 more votes than Bain. She said she feels vindicated, and will pursue several priorities when she takes office in January.

“It’s going to be me, making an assessment of what’s going on in the office, what needs to be done, who still wants to work here,” she said.

Worrell said she decided to run again because she believes people’s votes matter. 

And now, she hopes to build safer communities, promote police accountability and diversion programs, and reduce violent crime.

“From the establishment of the Violent Crime Prevention Task Force, where I worked collaboratively with law enforcement, with federal and local agencies so that we could go after the most violent and prolific offenders in our community,” she said.

Worrell also said she plans to continue the efforts of the adult civil citation program, which gives low-level, nonviolent offenders an opportunity to right their wrongs.

When asked if she was concerned that DeSantis might suspend her a second time, Worrell said she wouldn't be surprised if he tried.

“I think that we’re living in a time where anything is possible, and I would not put anything past this governor,” she said.

When asked if she had a message for the governor or Bain, she said: “I don’t. The people have sent them the message.”