In an exclusive WPBF 25 News interview, Yvette Drucker explains why she is not using Caruso’s felony child sexual abuse charges in campaign ads and defends her qualifications to manage county finances.
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. —
The woman running against suspended Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Mike Caruso says she was stunned when she learned her Republican opponent had been arrested on felony child sexual abuse charges.
Now, Democrat Yvette Drucker is speaking publicly about his arrest for the first time, revealing how it changed her campaign and why she has chosen not to use the allegations against him in political advertising.
“I truthfully was stunned,” Drucker told WPBF 25 News investigative reporter Terri Parker in an exclusive interview.
Drucker, a Boca Raton City Council member, said she was on her way to take her son to college when she learned Caruso had been arrested Aug. 18.
“I didn’t know. I didn’t know what to believe at that moment and all. I know that it just changed everything,” she said.
Caruso faces five felony charges stemming from allegations that he sexually abused a young family member.
Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Caruso from office following his arrest, but Caruso has pleaded not guilty and remains on the Nov. 3 ballot.
His representatives declined Parker’s request for an interview.
Caruso has maintained his innocence and previously said through a spokesperson:
“I maintain my innocence and remain a candidate for Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. My name is on the November ballot, and I intend to win this election.”
Why Drucker isn’t using Caruso’s arrest in campaign ads
Despite the charges against her opponent, Drucker said she has deliberately avoided running negative campaign ads about his criminal case.
“I think we have enough bad already out there,” Drucker said. “I don’t like the negative campaigning, and that’s the way I operate.”
Instead, she said she wants voters to focus on her qualifications and experience.
“Every day my purpose and intention is to tell people why I’m the better candidate,” she said. “And if I don’t get elected, then I wasn’t the best candidate for this community.”
Drucker said Caruso’s decision to remain in the race surprised her, but she emphasized that he is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
“We do have due process,” she said. “You’re innocent to proven guilty. And I believe in that.”
She also acknowledged that the allegations have made the election especially sensitive for some voters.
“It’s a shame that he decided to stay because it’s just caused a lot of anxiety amongst the community and amongst people, and especially people that have been victims in the past,” Drucker said.
Is Drucker qualified to manage county finances?
The clerk of the circuit court and comptroller is responsible for maintaining court records, safeguarding public money and performing important financial oversight functions.
Caruso is a certified public accountant.
Drucker is not.
Parker asked Drucker how she is qualified to oversee an office responsible for managing substantial public investments without an accounting background.
Drucker pointed to nearly 14 years working for ADP, where she said she held human resources and operational management positions overseeing budgets and employees across Florida and the Carolinas.
She also cited six years on the Boca Raton City Council, where she has helped oversee a city budget she said totals approximately $662 million.
“So again, and all the different jobs that I’ve done, we’ve always had a budget component,” Drucker said. “So it’s not like I’m coming into this without any budget experience.”
Drucker said she would depend on experienced financial and legal professionals already working in the clerk’s office.
“In this job, you need a good leader that has operational skills,” she said.
She also said she has met with some key clerk’s office staff members and is preparing for a possible transition if elected.
What about Palm Beach County’s Israel bond investments?
Drucker was also questioned about Palm Beach County’s substantial investments in Israel bonds, which she described as totaling approximately $1 billion.
The investments have generated political debate, raising questions about whether financial decisions should be influenced by political considerations.
Drucker said her responsibility would be to protect taxpayers and evaluate investments based on their financial performance.
“Leaving the political side of it, which I know everyone has an opinion on it, and I respect that,” she said, the goal is to make investments that protect taxpayer dollars and generate returns.
She said the county’s Israel bond holdings have produced competitive yields compared with some U.S. Treasury bonds.
Drucker estimated that the bonds represent approximately 16% of the county’s investment portfolio.
Caruso remains on the ballot despite losing GOP support
Caruso’s continued candidacy has also created controversy within his own political party.
Earlier this month, the Palm Beach County Republican Party included Caruso on its voter guide despite the criminal charges against him.
The local party later removed him after criticism from DeSantis, who called the decision to support Caruso “ridiculous.”
The state Republican Party had previously withdrawn its support following his arrest.
Despite the controversy, Caruso remains the Republican candidate on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Drucker said she never expected to face an opponent under these circumstances.
“This is not the type of race that I was expecting to run or to be in,” she said.
But she insists voters should make their decision based on who can perform the duties of the office.
“You have to vote on the candidate and the person to do this job,” Drucker said. “And this job is a very, very big job.”
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