Feb 26, 2021 - News

Another wealthy Florida community receives special access to COVID-19 vaccine

Ben Montgomery

Picture of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis putting on a mask — Gov. Ron DeSantis places his mask back on after speaking during a press conference. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Grand Palm, a wealthy community in Venice, Florida, with a resort-style swimming pool and tennis courts, is the third development tied to Neal Communities to receive special access to COVID-19 vaccines, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports.

Neal Communities owner Pat Neal is a politically-connected developer and former state senator who has a long history in GOP politics, including extensive fundraising for candidates.

He gave $25,000 to Gov. Ron DeSantis' political committee and served on his transition.

A DeSantis spokesman defended the pop-up clinics at senior communities, saying the "insinuation" that they "are established for political purposes is completely baseless."

DeSantis has been under fire for a vaccine pop-up clinic in Lakewood Ranch, developed by one of the governor's campaign contributors, that bypassed Manatee County's vaccine lottery system.

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Another wealthy Florida community receives special access to COVID-19 vaccine

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