Former Florida Warden Ron McAndrew Confronts State’s Execution Surge After Decades of Regret
Ron McAndrew, 88, former warden of Florida State Prison, is actively opposing capital punishment after overseeing eight executions in the 1990s. He regrets his role, particularly the botched 1997 electrocution of Pedro Medina, and now assists death row inmates with appeals. McAndrew criticizes Florida’s aggressive execution pace under Gov. Ron DeSantis, which has outpaced the rest of the nation. Despite writing to DeSantis, he has received no response, as the state prepares for its 16th execution of 2026.
Key points
- McAndrew served as warden until 1998, overseeing three electrocutions in Florida and five lethal injections in Texas.
- He cites the 1997 execution of Pedro Medina, which resulted in a fire and severe burns, as the pivotal moment that ended his support for the death penalty.
- Florida has executed more people since 2025 than any other state, with 19 executions in 2025 and a 16th scheduled for Tuesday.
- McAndrew is assisting inmates with legal appeals and has written to Gov. DeSantis to halt death warrants, but has not received a reply.
- The upcoming execution of Curtis Beasley, 77, was approved by the Florida Supreme Court despite arguments regarding his cognitive decline.
Background
Florida has been the leading state in executions in the US for several years. Recent archive entries from September 2026 detail the execution of Harold Lucas, marking the 14th execution of the year, highlighting the state's aggressive pace under Gov. DeSantis. This trend contrasts with national polls showing a decline in public support for the death penalty, with 52% of Americans now favoring it, down from 71% in the 1990s.
Why it matters
McAndrew’s testimony provides a rare, firsthand account of the psychological toll on execution personnel and the procedural failures of capital punishment. His opposition highlights the tension between Florida’s aggressive execution policy and the broader national trend toward declining support for the death penalty. The case of Curtis Beasley also raises legal questions about executing individuals with deteriorating cognitive abilities.
What to watch
Florida is scheduled to execute Curtis Beasley on Tuesday, marking the 16th execution of 2026. McAndrew will continue to assist inmates with appeals and speak against the death penalty, though he has not received a response from Gov. DeSantis. The state may match its 2025 execution count of 19 this year.
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on CNN