Hope Florida executive director resigning amid House scrutiny of first lady's initiative

Ana Ceballos and Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald on Apr 16, 2025

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The executive director of Hope Florida said Wednesday that he will be resigning his post effective May 1, a move that is being made public a day after he testified before a House committee about his work with first lady Casey DeSantis’ top initiative.

Erik Dellenback’s time as the executive director of Hope Florida — a state program intended to help wean people off government aid by connecting them with churches and faith-based charities — was short-lived.

He told the House committee on Tuesday that he started the job in January. On Wednesday, he told the Herald/Times in an email that he announced his resignation internally on March 10, after he accepted a new job as the CEO of Florida Family Voice, a Christian organization that is influential in conservative political circles.

“This is an opportunity that I had been pursuing for some time as I have spent most of my career outside of government,” Dellenback said. “I am grateful to be asked to lead this organization and be able to have more time with my family.”

Dellenback’s resignation comes as the program and the Hope Florida Foundation, a charity created to support the initiative, face scrutiny over their operations. At the center of the tumult: a $10 million donation the foundation received from a $67 million Medicaid state settlement that was previously undisclosed to the state Legislature.

After the donation was received, the charity gave $5 million apiece to two separate organizations — Save Our Society from Drugs and Secure Florida’s Future Inc. The groups later gave millions to a political committee waging an anti-marijuana campaign backed by the governor.

Dellenback was called to testify before a House committee on Tuesday. At the meeting, testimony showed that those running the charity did not ask many questions before steering the $10 million to the dark-money groups.

In testimony, Dellenback described his leadership at Hope Florida as an extension of his role as the governor’s liaison for faith and community, a post he has held for more than five years. He did not mention that he was planning to leave his post with Hope Florida during the meeting.

“I was surprised to hear the news,” Rep. Alex Andrade, the Pensacola Republican who has been investigating Hope Florida and the foundation, told the Herald/Times on Wednesday after Dellenback’s resignation was made public.

Andrade said Dellenback joked after the hearing that he would be “asking for a raise.”

During Tuesday committee hearing, lawmakers found that the Hope Florida Foundation didn’t keep meeting minutes, had no budget or bylaws and didn’t file its tax returns, all of which are requirements in state laws that govern ethics, oversight and governance.

Dellenback did not work for the charity.

The governor’s office said that Dellenback will continue to do work with Hope Florida in an advisory role. Dellenback will continue to be employed by the state. Records show he earns a salary of $175,000 through the Department of Children and Families’ budget.

Dellenback is leaving Hope Florida to lead The Florida Family Voice, a Christian organization that opposes abortion and LGBTQ rights. It is an influential voice in conservative politics.

In his role with the governor’s office, Dellenback has used his official position to advocate against abortion, including campaigning against Amendment 4, a ballot measure last year that would have broadened access to abortion.

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