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Florida Courts Become the New Frontline of Political Gamesmanship: Miami-Dade College Saga

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, December 1st 2025 at 15:29 GMT by Washington Examiner

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Florida Courts Become the New Frontline of Political Gamesmanship: The Miami‑Dade College Saga

In the weeks that followed the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the political landscape of Florida’s judiciary has become a cauldron of partisanship, intrigue, and legal strategy. A Washington Examiner piece—titled “Florida Courts: Battleground for Political Gamesmanship – Miami‑Dade College”—traces how a single lawsuit from a Miami‑Dade College (MDC) faculty member has turned the state’s courts into a stage for a broader ideological showdown. The story underscores a larger narrative: Florida’s courts are no longer neutral arbitrators but active players in the battle between conservative lawmakers, the state’s educational institutions, and progressive advocacy groups.

The Spark: A Faculty Complaint

At the heart of the drama lies a grievance filed by former MDC professor Dr. Thomas K. Heller in 2022. Dr. Heller—an associate professor of political science—alleged that the college’s leadership violated the Florida Department of Education’s (FDOE) “State University System’s (SUS) policy on academic freedom” and the Florida Civil Rights Act by taking adverse employment actions against him after he published a peer‑reviewed article that criticized the state’s anti‑LGBTQ+ law. Heller contended that the college retaliated by demoting him, suspending him from teaching, and ultimately terminating his contract. He claimed that these actions were motivated by his political views rather than any legitimate academic or administrative concern.

The case was lodged with the Florida Department of Education’s Office of Student and Faculty Rights (OSFR) and subsequently escalated to the state’s civil litigation system. The district court granted an injunction allowing Heller to remain on faculty status while the lawsuit progressed, and the state’s appellate courts began to weigh in on whether the college’s actions constituted protected political speech.

Political Context: The “Battleground” Label

The Washington Examiner article draws heavily on a broader analysis of Florida’s political climate. The state’s Supreme Court is now populated largely by judges appointed by Republican governors—a fact that has turned every case into a test of ideology. The article explains that conservative lawmakers have, over the past decade, enacted a slew of “public‑policy legislation” designed to limit academic freedom and tighten control over state‑funded institutions. In 2021, the Florida legislature passed Senate Bill 12, which explicitly forbade the teaching of content that “encourages students to view gender identity as a biological fact.” The bill was later upheld in the state courts and is now being challenged by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups in federal court.

These developments mean that a faculty member’s lawsuit against a public college is more than a civil dispute; it is a litmus test of the state’s political philosophy. The article argues that every decision the court makes will have reverberations that ripple through the state’s higher‑education system, influencing everything from hiring practices to curriculum choices.

The Court’s Tactics

The Examiner piece highlights several tactics employed by both sides. For Heller’s counsel, the key argument is that the college’s actions violated the First Amendment and the Florida Civil Rights Act, citing a precedent set by Gideon v. Wainwright in a similar context at a different institution. They argue that Heller’s “critical scholarship” falls squarely under protected academic speech.

The MDC’s defense, on the other hand, leverages the Florida Department of Education’s policy on academic integrity and the Florida Higher Education Act of 2003, arguing that the college’s actions were “measured and within the bounds of the policy.” They claim that Heller’s work “crossed a line by violating state policy on curriculum content,” thereby justifying the disciplinary actions.

The article notes that the state’s appellate court is using “political calculus” in its decision. The court’s opinions include language that subtly underscores the state’s “protective” stance towards institutions that enforce compliance with legislation, and it hints that dissenting faculty might face “adverse consequences.”

Additional Links and Context

The Washington Examiner article references several external sources to provide context. A linked editorial from the Miami Herald discusses the political tension at MDC, noting that the college has faced scrutiny from local conservative groups for offering courses that “challenge traditional values.” An interview with Dr. Maria Lopez, a senior academic at the University of Miami, comments on the climate of “self‑censorship” that faculty feel when they see a conservative court leaning toward the administration.

The article also cites a federal appellate court’s decision in Brown v. University of Florida—a case that struck down a Florida law restricting the teaching of gender theory. While that case was decided at the federal level, it indirectly influenced how Florida courts interpret the interplay between state law and academic freedom. The Examiner article uses this to illustrate how the judiciary is in flux, with federal and state courts sometimes pulling in opposite directions.

Implications for Florida’s Higher‑Education Landscape

The story is not just about one professor. It’s a bellwether for the entire state. If the court sides with MDC, it will embolden the state to tighten oversight of public colleges. The article cites a report from the Florida Board of Governors, which warned that a decision favoring the college could “legitimize the suppression of controversial academic viewpoints” and create a chilling effect on faculty research and teaching.

Conversely, if the court finds in favor of Heller, it could pave the way for a series of challenges to Florida’s increasingly restrictive policies. The article quotes a political scientist, Dr. Samuel Rodriguez, who predicts that a victory for the faculty could “spark a national conversation about the limits of state intervention in academia.”

The Verdict—What’s Next?

The Washington Examiner piece concludes by noting that the case is still pending. A state supreme court panel is scheduled to hear the appeal next month, and the decision will set a precedent for how the state treats academic freedom in the face of political pressure. The article underscores that the outcome will not only determine Heller’s fate but could also determine whether the “political gamesmanship” will continue to define Florida’s higher‑education institutions.

In a broader sense, the story is a microcosm of a nationwide trend: the politicization of academia, the legal battles over curriculum, and the role of state courts in balancing individual rights against political agendas. The Washington Examiner’s coverage calls attention to how a seemingly isolated case can ignite a national debate about the fundamental nature of higher‑education freedom.