In a ceremony at the Florida Historic Capitol Museum in Tallahassee, Destin native and Fort Walton Beach High School graduate James Uthmeier took the oath of office Thursday as Florida’s new attorney general.
- During the ceremony, Gov. Ron DeSantis praised his former chief of staff’s track record, particularly noting Uthmeier’s role in major policy initiatives.
“James was a bulldog in our administration,” DeSantis said. “From time to time, all throughout our administration, James was always digging in and fighting for what was right, even when it wasn’t easy.”
Uthmeier was sworn in by Justice Meredith Sasso with his wife Jean and their three children present. He placed his hand on the Bible and referenced Proverbs during his acceptance speech.
- “As I put my hand on that Bible, I was reminded of a verse from Proverbs, a verse that I turn to daily: To do what is right and just for the Lord is greater than any sacrifice,” Uthmeier said.
The Northwest Florida native pledged to focus on law enforcement support, fighting criminal organizations, and protecting constitutional rights.
“We will use the office of the Attorney General to punish criminals, to protect the innocent, and to stand boldly by our brave law enforcement,” Uthmeier said.
DeSantis noted that being chief of staff during his administration was particularly demanding due to their active agenda. “Being chief of staff when you have a governor that’s been very active like we have been… it’s not easy to juggle that. It’s even more difficult to be able to land victory after victory,” DeSantis said, adding that he wanted Uthmeier to have ‘more time with his family’ as attorney general.
Uthmeier succeeds Ashley Moody, who was recently appointed to the U.S. Senate.