Ron DeSantis
DeSantis in October 2023
46th Governor of Florida
Assumed office
January 8, 2019
LieutenantJeanette Nuñez
Preceded byRick Scott
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 6th district
In office
January 3, 2013 – September 10, 2018
Preceded byCliff Stearns (redistricting)
Succeeded byMichael Waltz
Personal details
Born
Ronald Dion DeSantis

(1978-09-14) September 14, 1978
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
​
(m. 2009)​
Children3
ResidenceGovernor's Mansion
Education
Signature
WebsiteOfficial website
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy
Years of service2004–2010 (active)
2010–2019 (reserve)[1]
RankLieutenant commander
UnitJudge Advocate General's Corps
United States Navy Reserve
Battles/warsIraq War
AwardsBronze Star
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
This article is part of
a series about
Ron DeSantis
US House of Representatives
Governor of Florida

Ronald Dion DeSantis (/dɪˈsæntɪs, diː-/; born September 14, 1978) is an American politician serving since 2019 as the 46th governor of Florida. A member of the Republican Party, he represented Florida's 6th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2018. DeSantis is a candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

Born in Jacksonville, DeSantis spent most of his childhood in Dunedin, Florida. He graduated from Yale University and Harvard Law School. DeSantis joined the United States Navy in 2004 and was promoted to lieutenant before serving as a legal advisor to SEAL Team One. He was stationed at Joint Task Force Guantanamo in 2006, and was deployed to Iraq in 2007. When he returned to the U.S. about eight months later, the U.S. attorney general appointed DeSantis to serve as a special assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Middle District of Florida, a position he held until his honorable discharge from active military duty in 2010.

DeSantis was first elected to Congress in 2012 and was reelected in 2014 and 2016. During his tenure, he became a founding member of the Freedom Caucus and was an ally of President Donald Trump. He briefly ran for U.S. Senate in 2016, but withdrew when incumbent senator Marco Rubio sought reelection. DeSantis won the Republican nomination for the 2018 gubernatorial election and narrowly defeated the Democratic Party nominee, Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum, in the general election by 0.4%.

DeSantis was governor during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole. He encouraged the passage of the Parental Rights in Education Act. In the 2022 gubernatorial election, he defeated Charlie Crist by 19.4 percentage points, the state's largest margin of victory for a governor's election in 40 years.

On May 24, 2023, DeSantis announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for president of the United States, and he continues to serve as governor during the campaign. He has written two books: Dreams From Our Founding Fathers was published before his first campaign for Congress in 2011, and The Courage to Be Free was published in 2023.

Early life and education

Ronald Dion DeSantis was born on September 14, 1978, in Jacksonville, Florida, to parents Karen DeSantis (née Rogers) and Ronald Daniel DeSantis. His middle name, Dion, honors the singer Dion DiMucci,[2] and his family name has different pronunciations.[3] His mother's family name, Rogers, was chosen by her grandfather upon immigrating from Italy.[4][5][6] All of DeSantis's great-grandparents immigrated from Southern Italy[lower-alpha 1] during the first Italian diaspora.[12] His parents and all of his grandparents were born and grew up in Western Pennsylvania and Northeast Ohio.[2]

DeSantis's mother worked as a nurse and his father installed Nielsen TV-rating boxes.[13] They met while attending Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio, during the 1970s and moved to Jacksonville, Florida, during that decade.[14] His family then moved to Orlando, Florida, before relocating when he was six years old to the city of Dunedin in Florida's Tampa Bay area.[15] His only sibling, younger sister Christina, died in 2015 at age 30 from a pulmonary embolism.[16][17][18] He was a member of the Dunedin National team that made it to the 1991 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.[19][20] DeSantis attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and Dunedin High School, graduating in 1997.[13]

After high school, DeSantis studied history at Yale University. He was captain of Yale's varsity baseball team; he played outfield, and as a senior in 2001 he had the team's best batting average at .336.[21][22][23][24] DeSantis was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and of the St. Elmo Society, one of Yale's secret societies.[20][25][26] While attending Yale, he worked a variety of jobs, including as an electrician's assistant and a coach at a baseball camp.[13] DeSantis graduated from Yale in 2001 with a B.A., magna cum laude.[27]

After Yale, DeSantis taught history and coached for a year at Darlington School in Georgia,[28] then attended Harvard Law School, graduating in 2005 with a Juris Doctor, cum laude.[29] At Harvard, he was business manager for the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy.[26]

Military service

DeSantis as a US Navy ensign of JAG c. 2005

In 2004, during his second year at Harvard Law, DeSantis was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy and assigned to the Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG). He completed Naval Justice School in 2005. Later that year, he reported to the JAG Trial Service Office Command South East at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, as a prosecutor. He was promoted from lieutenant, junior grade to lieutenant in 2006.

In the spring of 2006, DeSantis arrived at Joint Task Force Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO), working with detainees at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.[30][31][32] The publicly released records of his service in the Navy were redacted, with the Navy citing a personal-privacy exception to the Freedom of Information Act.[33] Mansur Ahmad Saad al-Dayfi, who was held at Guantanamo, alleged in 2022 that DeSantis oversaw force-feeding detainees[34][35][36][37][32] and DeSantis acknowledged that he advised the commander of the base about the use of force feeding.[38]

In 2007, DeSantis reported to the Naval Special Warfare Command Group in Coronado, California, where he was assigned as a legal adviser to SEAL Team One; he deployed to Iraq in the fall of 2007 as part of the troop surge.[39][40] He served as legal adviser to Dane Thorleifson, the SEAL Commander of the Special Operations Task Force-West in Fallujah.[30][31]

DeSantis returned to the U.S. in April 2008, reassigned to the Naval Region Southeast Legal Service. He was appointed to serve as a special assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Middle District of Florida.[39] DeSantis was assigned as a trial defense counsel until his honorable discharge from active duty in February 2010. He concurrently accepted a reserve commission as a lieutenant in the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the U.S. Navy Reserve.[41][42][43]

During his military career, DeSantis was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal.[30][31] His Navy Reserve service ended in February 2019, a month after his gubernatorial inauguration, with the rank of lieutenant commander.[44]

Post-naval career

With two law-school friends, DeSantis founded an LSAT test-prep company, LSAT Freedom, that one of the other co-founders billed as "the only LSAT prep courses designed exclusively by Harvard Law School graduates". DeSantis also worked as a litigator at the Miami-based law firm Holland & Knight before running for Congress in 2012.[26]

U.S. House of Representatives (2013–2018)

DeSantis's U.S. House of Representatives official portrait (c. 2013)

Elections

DeSantis defeated six candidates in the 2012 Republican primary for Florida's 6th congressional district,[45] and defeated Democratic nominee Heather Beaven in the general election.[46] He was reelected in 2014[47] and 2016.[48]

In May 2015, DeSantis announced his candidacy for the 2016 United States Senate election in Florida. He ran for the seat held by Marco Rubio, who initially did not file to run for reelection due to his 2016 presidential campaign.[49] DeSantis was endorsed by the Koch Brothers' fiscally conservative Club for Growth.[50] When Rubio ended his presidential bid and ran for reelection to the Senate, DeSantis withdrew from the Senate race, instead running for reelection to the House.[51]

Tenure

DeSantis speaking at the Hudson Institute in June 2015

DeSantis signed a 2013 "No Climate Tax Pledge" against any tax hikes to fight global warming.[52] He voted in favor of H.R. 45, which would have repealed the Affordable Care Act in 2013.[53] DeSantis introduced a bill in 2014 that would have required the Justice Department to report to Congress whenever any federal agency refrained from enforcing laws.[54][55][56] In 2015, DeSantis was a founding member of the Freedom Caucus, a group of congressional conservatives and libertarians.[31][57][58]

DeSantis opposes gun control, and received an A+ rating from the National Rifle Association.[59] He has said, "Very rarely do firearms restrictions affect criminals. They really only affect law-abiding citizens."[60]

DeSantis was a critic of Obama's immigration policies, including deferred action legislation (DACA and DAPA), accusing Obama of failing to enforce immigration laws.[61][62] In 2015 he co-sponsored Kate's Law, which would have increased penalties for aliens who unlawfully reenter the U.S. after being removed.[63] DeSantis encouraged Florida sheriffs to cooperate with the federal government on immigration-related issues.[64]

In 2016, DeSantis introduced the Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act, which would have allowed states to create their own accreditation systems. He said this legislation would also give students "access to federal loan money to put towards non-traditional educational opportunities, such as online learning courses, vocational schools, and apprenticeships in skilled trades".[65]

In 2016, DeSantis received a "0" rating from the Human Rights Campaign on LGBT-related legislation.[66][67] Two years later, he told the Sun Sentinel that he "doesn't want any discrimination in Florida, I want people to be able to live their life, whether you're gay or whether you're religious."[68]

DeSantis was present before the June 2017 congressional baseball shooting, and the perpetrator asked him whether the players were Republicans.[69] Later that summer, DeSantis proposed legislation that would have ended funding by November of that year for the Mueller investigation of President Trump.[70] He said that the May 17, 2017, order that initiated the probe "didn't identify a crime to be investigated" and was likely to start a fishing expedition.[71][72]

DeSantis supports a constitutional amendment to impose term limits on members of Congress, so that U.S. representatives would be limited to three terms and senators to two.[73] He served three terms in the House of Representatives, retiring in 2018 to run for governor of Florida.[74]

Committees

During the 114th United States Congress, DeSantis served on the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and chaired its Subcommittee on National Security.[75] He also served on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Judiciary Committee, and the Republican Study Committee, along with several subcommittees of those.[76]

Fiscal policy

DeSantis said that the debate over how to reduce the federal deficit should shift emphasis from tax increases to curtailing spending and triggering economic growth.[77] He is a past supporter of replacing the federal income tax and the IRS with a federal sales tax called the FairTax, by cosponsoring legislation to do so as a U.S. representative.[78][79] He supported a "no budget, no pay" policy for Congress to encourage passage of a budget resolution.[80] DeSantis endorsed the REINS Act, which would have required that regulations significantly affecting the economy be subject to a vote of Congress before taking effect.[81] He also supported auditing the Federal Reserve System.[82]

Conservative think tank Citizens Against Government Waste named DeSantis a "Taxpayer Superhero" in 2015.[83] For alleged IRS targeting of conservatives, DeSantis asked for IRS commissioner John Koskinen's resignation for having "failed the American people by frustrating Congress's attempts to ascertain the truth".[84][85] He cosponsored a bill to impeach Koskinen for violating the public's trust.[86] DeSantis criticized IRS employee Lois Lerner and asked that she testify to Congress.[87]

In 2015, he introduced the Let Seniors Work Act, which would have repealed an incentive to retire instead of keep working and would have exempted senior citizens from the 12.4 percent Social Security payroll tax; he also cosponsored a measure to eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits.[88][89] According to PolitiFact, it is "half true" that DeSantis voted to cut Social Security and Medicare and voted to increase the retirement age, because those votes were on non-binding resolutions that would not have become law even if passed, and because the objective was to stabilize those social programs to avoid steeper cuts later.[90][91]

DeSantis sponsored the Transportation Empowerment Act, which would have transferred much of the responsibility for transportation projects to the states and sharply reduce the federal gas tax.[92][93] He opposed legislation to require online retailers to collect and pay state sales tax.[94] He voted for the 2017 Trump tax cuts.[95][96]

DeSantis opted not to receive his congressional pension, and filed a measure that would eliminate pensions for members of Congress.[82][97]

Gubernatorial campaigns

2018 candidacy

2018 election results map by county
DeSantis:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Gillum:      50–60%      60–70%

On January 5, 2018, DeSantis filed to run for the office of governor to replace term-limited Republican incumbent Rick Scott.[98] President Trump had said the previous month that he would support DeSantis should he run for governor.[99] During the Republican primary, DeSantis emphasized his support for Trump by running an ad in which DeSantis taught his children how to "build the wall" and say "Make America Great Again".[100] Asked whether he could name an issue on which he disagreed with Trump, DeSantis declined.[101] On August 28, 2018, DeSantis won the Republican primary, defeating his main opponent, Adam Putnam.[102]

DeSantis's gubernatorial platform included support for legislation that would allow people with concealed weapons permits to carry firearms openly.[103] He also supported a law mandating the use of E-Verify by businesses and a state-level ban on sanctuary city protections for undocumented immigrants.[103] DeSantis promised to stop the spread of polluted water from Lake Okeechobee.[103] He expressed support for a state constitutional amendment to require a supermajority vote for any tax increases.[104] DeSantis opposed allowing able-bodied, childless adults to receive Medicaid.[104] He said he would implement a medical cannabis program, while opposing the legalization of recreational cannabis.[104][105][106]

The day after his primary win, in a televised Fox News interview, DeSantis said, "The last thing we need to do is to monkey this up by trying to embrace a socialist agenda with huge tax increases and bankrupting the state". His use of the word "monkey" received widespread media attention, and was interpreted by some, including Florida Democratic Party Chair Terrie Rizzo, as a racist dog whistle alluding to the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Andrew Gillum, who is African-American.[107][108][109][110] DeSantis denied the racism charge.[111][112][113][114] Dexter Filkins, writing in The New Yorker in 2022, called it a "disastrous gaffe", and quoted an unnamed ally of DeSantis lamenting that afterward, "We were handling Gillum with kid gloves. We can't hit the guy, because we're trying to defend the fact that we're not racist."[111]

The general election was "widely seen as a toss-up".[115] Some sheriffs endorsed DeSantis, while other sheriffs backed Gillum.[116] DeSantis was endorsed by the Florida Police Chiefs Association.[117] On September 5, he announced state representative Jeanette Núñez as his running mate.[118] He resigned his House seat on September 10 to focus on his gubernatorial campaign.[119] The same month, he canceled a planned interview with the Tampa Bay Times to have additional time to put together a platform before an in-depth policy interview.[120] On election night, initial results had DeSantis winning, and so Gillum conceded.[121] Gillum rescinded his concession when the margin narrowed to 0.4 percent, and an automatic machine recount began with a November 15 deadline.[122] Although three counties missed the deadline, it was not extended.[123][124] DeSantis was confirmed as the winner and Gillum conceded on November 17.[125]

2022 candidacy

2022 election results map by county
DeSantis:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Crist:      50–60%      60–70%

In September 2021, DeSantis announced he would run for reelection.[126] On November 7, he filed the necessary paperwork to officially enter the race.[127] In the general election, he faced Democratic nominee Charlie Crist, a U.S. representative and former Florida governor.[128] Crist heavily criticized DeSantis's decision to transport illegal immigrants to Democratic states, arguing that it was human rights abuse.[129] During an interview with Bret Baier on Fox News, Crist called DeSantis "one of the biggest threats to democracy".[130]

The gubernatorial debate was held on October 23, and the candidates exchanged attacks. At one point, Crist asked DeSantis whether he would serve a full four-year term, in relation to talk about a potential DeSantis campaign for president in 2024. DeSantis responded, "the only worn-out old donkey I'm looking to put out to pastures is Charlie Crist".[131] On the campaign trail DeSantis criticized Crist's role as a U.S. representative, and at the debate said that Crist showed up for work for only 14 days during 2022.[132]

DeSantis won the November 8 election in a landslide,[133][134][135] with 59.4 percent of the vote to Crist's 40 percent; it was the largest margin of victory in a Florida gubernatorial election since 1982.[136] Significantly, DeSantis won Miami-Dade County, which had been a Democratic stronghold since 2002, and Palm Beach County, which had not voted Republican since 1986.[137][138] Crist conceded the election shortly after DeSantis was projected as the winner.[139] At DeSantis's victory rally, supporters chanted "two more years" at various times rather than the common "four more years" to show support for DeSantis for president in 2024.[140]

Governor of Florida (2019–present)

DeSantis with Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, Chief Finance Officer Jimmy Patronis, and Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried in 2019

DeSantis became governor of Florida on January 8, 2019.[141] He has generally governed as a conservative.[142] On January 11, three days after taking office, he posthumously pardoned the Groveland Four, a group of black men falsely convicted of rape in 1949.[143][144] The same day,[145] he officially suspended Broward County sheriff Scott Israel, ostensibly for his responses to the mass shootings at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, appointing Gregory Tony to replace him.[146][147] In its 2021 session, the Florida legislature passed DeSantis's top priorities.[148][149] During his tenure, the Republican-dominated Florida Legislature enacted much of DeSantis's legislative agenda, often on rapid timelines.[150][151] Maximizing the power of the governor's office, DeSantis exerted pressure on Republican legislative leaders.[152][153]

Economic

Taxation and budget

During his 2018 gubernatorial campaign, DeSantis pledged to lower corporate income taxes to 5 percent or lower.[154] During his tenure, corporate income taxes in Florida got as low as 3.5 percent in 2021, but by 2022 they had increased to 5.5 percent.[155] DeSantis has maintained Florida's low-tax status during his time as governor.[156] In June 2019, DeSantis signed a $91.1 billion budget the legislature passed the previous month, which was the largest in state history at the time, though he cut $131 million in appropriations.[157][158] In June 2021, he signed a $101.5 billion budget; he used his line-item veto to veto $1.5 billion (of which $1 billion was in federal American Rescue Plan Act money for an emergency response fund).[159][160] The budget DeSantis signed was more than $9 billion higher than Florida's current state spending plan.[159]

On November 22, 2021, because of a significant increase in gasoline prices, DeSantis announced that he would temporarily waive Florida's gasoline tax in the next legislative session, in 2022.[161] Florida had a record state budget surplus in 2023.[162]

Unemployment insurance and retirement age

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, DeSantis blamed former governor Rick Scott for "revamping the state's unemployment insurance system with pointless roadblocks that he said were designed to prevent people from claiming benefits", claiming it created massive backlogs earlier in the year as the pandemic decimated the economy.[163] Afterward, Florida's economy swiftly started recovering, and the unemployment rate fell below 7 percent by the latter half of 2020.[164] In December 2020, DeSantis ordered the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to extend unemployment waivers until February 27, 2021.[165] Since May 2022, Florida's unemployment rate has sat around two percent, below the national average.[166]

While in Congress, DeSantis supported proposals to raise the retirement age (i.e., the age to qualify for Medicare and Social Security) to 70 and to privatize Medicare, turning it into a "premium support" system.[91][167][90] While running for president in 2023, DeSantis reversed his position, saying, "we’re not going to mess with Social Security."[91][167][90]

Education

In June 2021, DeSantis led an effort to ban the teaching of critical race theory in Florida public schools (though it had not been part of Florida's public school curriculum). He described critical race theory as "teaching kids to hate their country", mirroring a similar push by conservatives nationally.[168] The Florida Board of Education approved the ban on June 10. The Florida Education Association criticized the ban, accusing the board of trying to hide facts from students. Other critics said the ban was an effort to "politicize classroom education and whitewash American history".[169][170]

On September 14, 2021, DeSantis announced that Florida would replace the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) test with a system of three smaller tests throughout the school year, in the fall, winter and spring. The new system was implemented in the 2022–23 school year.[171]

On December 15, 2021, DeSantis announced a new bill, the Stop Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees Act ("Stop WOKE Act"), which would allow parents to sue school districts that teach critical race theory. He framed the bill as a bill to combat "woke indoctrination" that would "teach our kids to hate our country or hate each other."[172][173][174][175] On August 18, 2022, federal judge Mark E. Walker blocked enforcement of the act as applied to businesses, ruling that it violated the First Amendment and was impermissibly vague.[176] Walker later blocked enforcement of the act as applied to public universities for similar reasons, writing that the legislation is "positively dystopian" because it "officially bans professors from expressing disfavored viewpoints in university classrooms while permitting unfettered expression of the opposite viewpoints."[177]

Election law and voting rights

DeSantis expressed support for the Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative after it passed in November 2018, saying he was "obligated to faithfully implement [it] as it is defined" when he became governor. After he refused to restore voting rights for felons with unpaid fines, which voting rights groups said was inconsistent with the referendum's results, he was challenged in court. The Florida Supreme Court sided with DeSantis on the issue,[178] and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit also sided with DeSantis in a 6–4 ruling.[179]

In April 2019, DeSantis directed Florida's elections chief to expand the availability of Spanish-language ballots and Spanish assistance for voters. In a statement, DeSantis said, "It is critically important that Spanish-speaking Floridians are able to exercise their right to vote without any language barriers."[180]

In June 2019, DeSantis signed a measure that would make it harder to launch successful ballot initiatives. Petition-gathering for ballot initiatives to legalize medical cannabis, increases to the minimum wage, and expansion of Medicaid were also under way.[181][182][183] DeSantis instructed Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to investigate whether Michael Bloomberg had criminally offered incentives for felons to vote by assisting in a fundraising effort to pay off their financial obligations so they could vote in the 2020 presidential election in Florida. No wrongdoing was found.[184]

In February 2021, DeSantis announced his support for eliminating ballot drop boxes and limiting voting by mail by requiring that voters re-register every year to vote by mail and that signatures on mail-in ballots "match the most recent signature on file" (rather than any of the voter's signatures in the Florida system).[185][186] The changes to mail-in voting were notable given that Republicans had historically voted by mail more than Democrats, but Democrats outvoted Republicans by mail in 2020.[185] According to a Tampa Bay Times analysis, DeSantis's signature match proposal could have led to rejections of his own mail-in ballots due to changes in his signature history over time; voting rights experts argued that the signature matching proposal could be used to disenfranchise voters whose signatures varied over time.[186]

Abortion limits

After the U.S. Supreme Court decided Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade, DeSantis pledged to "expand pro-life protections".[187] On April 14, 2022, he signed into law a bill that bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy; under the previous law, the limit had been 24 weeks.[188] The law includes exceptions for abortions beyond 15 weeks if they are necessary to avert "serious risk" to the pregnant woman's physical health or if there is a "fatal fetal abnormality" but makes no exceptions for rape, human trafficking, incest, or mental health.[189]

The law was expected to go into effect on July 1, 2022,[190] but a state judge blocked its enforcement, ruling that it violated the right to privacy guaranteed by the Florida Constitution.[191][192] After DeSantis appealed the ruling, the law went into effect on July 5, pending judicial review.[193] In January 2023, the Supreme Court of Florida agreed to hear a legal challenge to the law.[194]

In April 2023, DeSantis signed a six-week abortion ban.[195] The legislation contains exceptions allowing abortion up to 15 weeks in cases in which the pregnancy was a result of rape, incest, or human trafficking, but requires the woman to provide proof of a crime before being permitted an abortion under any of those exceptions.[196][197] The bill will make providing an abortion a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, ban telemedicine for abortion, and limit the availability of medication abortion.[198] The six-week ban is set to go into effect 30 days after the Supreme Court of Florida rules on the 15-week ban.[197]

Tech platforms

On February 2, 2021, DeSantis announced support for legislation to hold tech companies accountable to prevent alleged political censorship.[199][200] In response to social media networks removing Trump from their platforms, DeSantis and other Florida Republicans pushed legislation in the Florida legislature to prohibit tech companies from de-platforming political candidates.[201] A federal judge blocked the law by preliminary injunction the day before it was to take effect, on the grounds that it violated the First Amendment and federal law.[202] When Twitter suspended DeSantis administration critic Rebekah Jones's account for violating rules against spam and platform manipulation, DeSantis's office applauded the decision, calling it "long overdue".[203][204] DeSantis supported Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter, believing "it illegal for tech platforms to block or demote content that might otherwise run afoul of their terms of service".[205]

COVID-19 response

During 2020 and 2021, scientists and media outlets initially gave mixed reviews of DeSantis's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.[206][207][208] From March 2020 through March 22, 2023, Florida had the 12th-highest rate of cases and deaths per 100,000 people among the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, without adjusting for the age of Florida's large and vulnerable elderly population.[209][210] Florida's age-adjusted death rate, which takes its disproportionately elderly population into account, was roughly near the median among states as of 2021, and a 2022 study placed it at the nation's 12th lowest.[211][210][212] By 2023, many political scientists acknowledged that DeSantis's management of the pandemic may have benefited him in his reelection campaign, and he was credited with turning "his coronavirus policies into a parable of American freedom".[213][214]

LGBT rights

On June 1, 2021, DeSantis signed the Fairness in Women's Sports Act (SB 1028). It bans transgender girls and women from participating and competing in middle-school and high-school girls' and college women's sports competitions. The law took effect on July 1.[215]

In February 2022, DeSantis voiced support for the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act (HB1557), commonly known as the "Don't Say Gay" law, which prohibits discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in school classrooms from kindergarten to grade 3. He said it was "entirely inappropriate" for teachers and school administrators to talk to students about their gender identity.[216][217][218] DeSantis signed the bill into law in March 2022, and it took effect on July 1, 2022.[219] This statute also includes a provision "requiring school district personnel to encourage a student to discuss issues relating to his or her well-being with his or her parent or to facilitate discussion of the issue with the parent", and does not limit such issues to sexual orientation or gender identity.[220] As of March 2023, DeSantis was considering further similar legislation for all grades.[221][222] On April 19, the state board of education extended the act's restrictions on classroom instruction to grades 4–12, unless the instruction is required by existing state standards or is part of an elective course on reproductive health.[223][224]

Dispute with Disney

The Walt Disney Company, owner of Walt Disney World in Florida, called for the law's repeal, beginning a dispute between Disney and the state government.[225] In April 2022, DeSantis signed a bill eliminating the company's special independent district and replacing its Disney-appointed board of overseers.[226][227] He also threatened during a press conference to build a new state prison near the Disney World complex.[228] On April 26, 2023, Disney filed suit against DeSantis and several others, accusing them of retaliating against protected speech.[229]

Policing and law enforcement

DeSantis at a pro-law enforcement rally in Staten Island

DeSantis opposes efforts to defund the police, and as governor has introduced initiatives to "fund the police".[230] In September 2021, he introduced a $5,000 signing bonus for Florida police officers in a bid to attract out-of-state police recruits.[231]

In April 2021, DeSantis signed into law the Combating Public Disorder Act he had been advocating. Aside from being an anti-riot statute, it forbade intimidation by mobs; penalized damage to historic properties or memorials, such as downtown Miami's Christopher Columbus statue, which was damaged in 2020; and forbade publishing personal identifying information online with intent to harm.[232] DeSantis had argued for this legislation by citing the George Floyd protests of 2020 and the 2021 United States Capitol attack, although only the former was mentioned at the signing ceremony.[233] Several months after the signing, a federal judge blocked the portion of the law that introduced a new definition of "riot", calling it too vague.[234]

On May 5, 2021, DeSantis announced that all Florida police officers, firefighters, and paramedics would receive a $1,000 bonus.[235]

On December 2, 2021, DeSantis announced that as part of a $100 million funding proposal for the Florida National Guard, $3.5 million would be allocated to the reactivation of the Florida State Guard, a volunteer state defense force that had been inactive since 1947.[236][237]

Immigration and refugees

In June 2019, DeSantis signed an anti-"sanctuary city" bill into law. Florida had no sanctuary cities before the law's enactment, and immigration advocates called the bill politically motivated.[238][239][240]

Florida became the 12th state to adopt legislation requiring local governments to aid federal immigration-enforcement efforts.[241] In June 2020, DeSantis signed a bill requiring government employers and contractors to use E-Verify.[242][243][244] He had originally called for all employers to be required to use it.[245] A few years later, he signed into law an expansion of E-Verify and other immigration laws.[246]

In 2021, DeSantis halted cooperation with the Biden administration's program to relocate and resettle migrants in Florida in the wake of a surge in illegal immigration.[247] DeSantis's administration also allocated $12 million for relocating migrants to other states.[248]

In September 2022, after similar actions by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, an agent of DeSantis recruited 50 newly arrived asylum seekers, mostly from Venezuela, in San Antonio, Texas, and flew them via two chartered planes to the Crestview, Florida airport, where they did not debark, then proceeded to Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. The migrants filed a class-action suit against DeSantis, calling his treatment of them "extreme and outrageous, and utterly intolerable in a civilized community".[249][250]

In May 2023, DeSantis announced plans to send over 1,000 personnel to Texas, including National Guard troops, to help Texas stem the influx of illegal immigration across the southern border.[251]

Hurricane Ian response

President Joe Biden and Governor DeSantis greet each other in Fort Myers for a briefing on response and recovery efforts after Hurricane Ian.

DeSantis was widely praised for the state's response to Hurricane Ian — the deadliest hurricane to hit Florida in over 85 years.[252][253][254] In September 2022, DeSantis declared a state of emergency for all of Florida as Ian approached and asked for federal aid ahead of time.[255][256] On October 5, after Ian deserted Florida, President Biden arrived in Florida and met with DeSantis and Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott.[257] DeSantis and Biden held a press conference in Fort Myers, at which Biden said DeSantis had "done a good job", to report on the status of the cleanup.[258] In addition, DeSantis partnered with Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, Inc., to use the Starlink satellite Internet service to help restore communication across the state.[259]

Environment

DeSantis supported programs dedicated to environmental conservation and protection from flooding in Florida. At the same time, he questioned climate science, supported fossil fuels, opposed renewables, and sanctioned firms for considering environmental issues in their investments.[260]

The Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act gave Florida $3.75 million for urban forests and nature, $209,000 for fighting pollution, and $78.7 million to protect the state from climate change impacts.

However, DeSantis refused to accept $346 million from the Inflation Reduction Act for rebates to homeowners who want to retrofit their houses, make it more energy efficient, $3 million to fight pollution, and a program to help low-income people buy solar panels, as well as $24 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for improving sewage systems in rural areas. The rebates were requested by Florida energy office and the legislature, but DeSantis vetoed them. All other governors, including Republicans, accepted the money. The money can go to local cities and authorities, and three Florida cities received some funds. Rhode Island and Kentucky have requested to take Florida's money for themselves. The program should help people lower their energy bills and weatherize their houses while creating jobs. Half the money should go to low-income households.[261][262][263] Making a house more energy-efficient can cut utility bills by 25% for an average family.[264] DeSantis later reversed course and attempted to reclaim some of the rejected home energy rebate funds.[265]

2024 presidential campaign

Campaign logo for DeSantis
Campaign logo for DeSantis

Between 2020 and 2023, media outlets saw DeSantis as a likely candidate for the 2024 presidential election, and various notable people urged him to run.[266][267] In September 2021, he called 2024 speculation "purely manufactured".[268] In April 2023, he said, "I am not a candidate, so we'll see if and when that changes"; at that time, Trump was leading DeSantis in polls for the Republican nomination, but DeSantis was performing better than Trump in battleground polling of the general election.[269][270]

In a straw poll conducted at the 2022 Conservative Political Action Conference for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, DeSantis came in second with 28 percent of the vote, behind Trump, who received 59 percent.[271] Beginning in 2022, DeSantis became increasingly seen as a contender for the Republican nomination. Various writers have predicted that he could defeat Trump or said that he is preferable to Trump in view of the January 6 hearings and subsequent straw polls.[272][273][274] These ideas gained more traction after the 2022 midterm elections, when DeSantis was reelected governor by almost 20 percentage points, while Trump-endorsed candidates, such as Mehmet Oz in the Senate race in Pennsylvania, performed poorly.[275][276] The release of DeSantis's memoir, The Courage To Be Free, and subsequent book tour, also increased 2024 speculation.[277]

On May 24, 2023, DeSantis officially launched his bid for president.[278] It was announced on X, then called Twitter, with assistance from its owner, Elon Musk.[279]

Personal life

Ron and Casey DeSantis in January 2019

DeSantis met his wife, Casey Black, at a golf course at the University of North Florida.[280][281] She had been a television host for the Golf Channel, and then a television journalist and news anchor at WJXT.[282][280] They married on September 26, 2009, in a chapel at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.[280][283][284] DeSantis is Catholic, as was his wedding ceremony.[284][285]

The couple lived in Ponte Vedra Beach, near St. Augustine, until it was drawn into the neighboring 4th congressional district. They then moved to a condo owned by Kent Stermon in Palm Coast, north of Daytona Beach, which remained in the district he represented: the 6th.[286][287] They have three children.[288]

He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.[289] In 2022, DeSantis appeared on Time 100, Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.[290] As of September 2023, his net worth was estimated at around $1.5 million, up from $300,000 in 2021; his $1.25 million book deal with HarperCollins in 2022 made him a millionaire by the end of that year.[291][292][293]

Electoral history

Publications

  • DeSantis, Ron (2011). Dreams from Our Founding Fathers: First Principles in the Age of Obama. Jacksonville: High-Pitched Hum Publishing. ISBN 978-1-934666-80-7.[294]
  • DeSantis, Ron (2023). The Courage to Be Free: Florida's Blueprint for America's Revival. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0063276000.

Notes

  1. ↑ DeSantis's great-grandparents were originally from comuni in the provinces of L'Aquila (Cansano, Bugnara, Pacentro and Pratola Peligna, in Abruzzo region), Caserta (Sessa Aurunca, in Campania region), Avellino (Castelfranci, in Campania region) and Campobasso (Castelbottaccio, in Molise region).[7][8][9][10][11] His paternal great-grandfather Nicola DeSantis was originally from Cansano, Abruzzo region.[7] His paternal grandfather was Daniel DeSantis, born in Beaver, Pennsylvania, to Nicola and his wife Maria.[7] DeSantis's maternal great-great-grandfather, Salvatore Storti, immigrated to the U.S. during the Italian diaspora in 1904. He eventually settled in Pennsylvania, where his wife, Luigia Colucci, joined him in 1917.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Christensen, Dan, ed. (January 2023). "BIOGRAPHICAL DATA". Florida Bulldog. Retrieved April 28, 2023. Separation Date: Feb. 14, 2019.
  2. 1 2 Gomez, Henry. "How Midwest roots shaped Ron DeSantis' political values and perspective", NBC News (March 19, 2023).
  3. ↑ Epstein, Reid J.; McFadden, Alyce (May 24, 2023). "Deh-Santis or Dee-Santis? Even He Has Been Inconsistent". The New York Times.
  4. ↑ Hutchison, Peter (November 9, 2022). "Ron DeSantis, Rising Star Of The Republican Hard-right". Barron's. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Obituary: Christina Marie DeSantis (May 05, 1985 - May 12, 2015), Palm Harbor, FL". Curlew Hills Memory Gardens, Inc. May 2015. Archived from the original on September 19, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2023 – via Obittree.com.
  6. ↑ McCloud, Cheryl (February 28, 2023). "Ron DeSantis: 14 things to know about Florida's governor". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 "Ron DeSantis, governatore in Florida e possibile candidato alla presidenza, ha origini abruzzesi e molisane" [Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida and possible presidential candidate, is originally from Abruzzo and Molise] (in Italian). November 10, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  8. ↑ Di Leonardo, Stefano (November 19, 2022). "Origini comuni ma rivali verso la Casa Bianca: DeSantis e McCarthy, la sfida tra i Repubblicani è molisana" [Common origins but rivals toward White House: DeSantis and McCarthy, Republicans challenge Molise] (in Italian). Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  9. 1 2 Contorno, Steve (August 21, 2018). "Immigration hardliner Ron DeSantis' great-great-grandmother was nearly barred from America". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Ron DeSantis, è di Castelfranci il nuovo idolo dei repubblicani statunitensi" [Ron DeSantis, the new idol of the US Republicans is from Castelfranci] (in Italian). November 9, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Ron DeSantis stravince le Midterm: il "bigotto" peligno opziona la corsa alla Casa Bianca" [Ron DeSantis wins the Midterms hands down: the Peligno "sanctimonius" options the race for the White House] (in Italian). November 9, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  12. ↑ Cerabino, Frank (March 24, 2020). "Cerabino: Florida Gov. DeSantis needs to start acting like an Italian mayor". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  13. 1 2 3 Smith, Adam; Leary, Alex (February 18, 2018). "Ron DeSantis: Capitol Hill loner, Fox News fixture, Trump favorite in Florida governor's race". Tampa Bay Times (Digital). Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  14. ↑ McFerren, Robert (August 11, 2022). "Florida Gov. DeSantis's family roots run deep in Valley". WFMJ-TV (Digital). Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  15. ↑ Perry, Mitch (September 8, 2015). "Ron DeSantis admits GOP faithful are 'demoralized, depressed and dejected' at D.C. Republicans". SaintPetersBlog. Extensive Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  16. ↑ Cridlin, Jay. “Is DeSantis a hometown hero in this Florida city or just someone who lived there?”, Miami Herald (April 30, 2023).
  17. ↑ "Christina Marie DeSANTIS". Legacy.com. June 7, 2015. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  18. ↑ Leary, Alex (May 18, 2015). "Ron DeSantis' sister dies". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  19. ↑ Gonzales, Nathan (June 26, 2012). "Fall Elections Shape Future Rosters". Roll Call. Archived from the original on July 15, 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  20. 1 2 Vaccaro, Ron (March 30, 2001). "Baseball's DeSantis shines on Yale Field of dreams". Yale Daily News. Archived from the original on April 5, 2001. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  21. ↑ Morgan, Nancy (June 10, 2001). "Yale grad DeSantis is a hit on, off field". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on September 24, 2001. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  22. ↑ Mahoney, Emily L. (October 20, 2018). "Florida governor candidate Ron DeSantis carved aggressive path from Dunedin to D.C." Miami Herald. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  23. ↑ "2001 Yale Baseball Roster". Yale University. Archived from the original on June 29, 2001. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Yale University Baseball: Overall Statistics for Yale". Yale University. April 28, 2001. Archived from the original on November 28, 2001. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  25. ↑ Mazzei, Patricia (April 10, 2021). "Could Ron DeSantis Be Trump's G.O.P. Heir? He's Certainly Trying". The New York Times. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  26. 1 2 3 Confessore, Nicholas (August 20, 2023). "How Ron DeSantis Joined the 'Ruling Class' — and Turned Against It". The New York Times. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  27. ↑ Mor, Michael (November 5, 2014). "Seventeen Yale alumni won congressional, governor's races on Election Day 2014". YaleNews. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  28. ↑ Robles, Frances (November 5, 2022). "Pranks, Parties and Politics: Ron DeSantis's Year as a Schoolteacher". The New York Times. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  29. ↑ "CANDIDATE Q&A: U.S. House 6, Ron DeSantis". Palm Coast Observer. August 1, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  30. 1 2 3 Mahoney, Emily (August 29, 2018). "Who is Ron DeSantis, the Republican running for Florida governor?". The Miami Herald. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  31. 1 2 3 4 Mahoney, Emily (August 14, 2018). "This candidate for Florida governor cites serving at Guantánamo. What did he do there?". The Miami Herald. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  32. 1 2 Wilner, Michael (March 7, 2023). "What's known about Ron DeSantis' time in the Navy at Guantanamo Bay". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  33. ↑ Rado, Diane (October 15, 2018). "What is and isn't known about Ron DeSantis's Navy career? Records provide a glimpse". Florida Phoenix. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  34. ↑ "Did Ron DeSantis Observe Guantanamo Force-Feeding as Navy JAG?". Snopes. May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  35. ↑ "See No Evil: The business of books and the merger that wasn't". Harper's Magazine. Vol. March 2023. February 17, 2023. ISSN 0017-789X. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  36. ↑ Wilner, Michael (March 7, 2023). "'Very Intimate Knowledge': What Ron DeSantis saw while serving at Guantanamo". Miami Herald.
  37. ↑ Hall, Richard (March 17, 2023). "Former Guantanamo prisoner: Ron DeSantis watched me being tortured". The Independent. Retrieved March 17, 2023. The United Nations has characterised the force-feeding of hunger strikers at Guantanamo Bay as torture. The US government has denied that the practice amounts to torture, and it has been used against prisoners over successive administrations during hunger strikes.
  38. ↑ Kranish, Michael (April 17, 2023). "DeSantis's pivotal service at Guantánamo during a violent year". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  39. 1 2 Farrington, Brenda (May 5, 2015). "Republican Congressman DeSantis to run for Rubio Senate seat". Sun Sentinel. Associated Press. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  40. ↑ Altman, Howard; Mahoney, Emily (September 21, 2018). "What did Ron DeSantis do during his tour in Iraq?". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  41. ↑ Mahoney, Emily L.; Altman, Howard (August 14, 2018). "In bid for Florida governor, Ron DeSantis touts Navy Gitmo experience. But what did he do there?". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  42. ↑ Rohrlich, Justin (August 24, 2023). "Actual SEALs Fume at DeSantis' Navy Service Claims". Daily Beast.
  43. ↑ "on DeSantis accused of overselling his Navy SEAL career at GOP debate". Independent. August 24, 2023.
  44. ↑ "Timeline: Ron DeSantis". CBS News. May 22, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  45. ↑ "August 14, 2012 Primary Election Republican Primary Official Results". The St. Augustine Record. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  46. ↑ "Ron DeSantis, Ted Yoho win freshman seats". The Florida Times Union. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  47. ↑ "DeSantis, Mica easily win re-election to Congress". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  48. ↑ "DeSantis wins third term in Congress". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  49. ↑ Stein, Letitia (May 6, 2015). "Florida Congressman Ron DeSantis running for U.S. Senate". Reuters. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  50. ↑ "Video: Club for Growth backs DeSantis". The Hill. May 6, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  51. ↑ "Rubio decision instantly reshapes Florida races". Politico. June 22, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  52. ↑ "Americans for Prosperity Applauds U.S. Representative Ron DeSantis" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 15, 2014. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  53. ↑ "Rep. DeSantis Statement on ObamaCare Repeal". May 16, 2013. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014.
  54. ↑ "H.R. 3973 – CBO". Congressional Budget Office. March 10, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  55. ↑ "H.R. 3972 – Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  56. ↑ Kasperowicz, Pete (March 7, 2014). "House targets Obama's law enforcement". The Hill. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  57. ↑ Contorno, Steve (August 10, 2018). "Ron DeSantis wants to lead Florida through hurricanes. He voted against helping Sandy victims". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  58. ↑ "What is the House Freedom Caucus, and who's in it?". Pew Research Center. October 20, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  59. ↑ Keller, Michael (February 11, 2013). "This is Your Representative on Guns". The Daily Beast. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  60. ↑ Maddock, Preston (February 20, 2013). "Ron DeSantis Put On Spot By Sandy Hook Parents At Florida Town Hall". HuffPost. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  61. ↑ Derby, Kevin (February 24, 2015). "Ron DeSantis Turns Up the Heat on Obama for Failing to Enforce Immigration Laws". Sunshine State News. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  62. ↑ Scanlon, Kate (June 17, 2015). "Before Skeptical Lawmakers, Officials Defend 'Legality' of Obama's Immigration Actions". The Daily Signal. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  63. ↑ "HR3011 Kate's Law". TrackBill. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  64. ↑ "Sheriffs look at options amid DeSantis immigration push". WINK-TV. March 12, 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  65. ↑ DeSantis, Ron; Lee, Mike (March 4, 2015). "Break Up the Higher-Ed Cartel". National Review. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  66. ↑ Johnson, Chris (October 7, 2016). "Rubio's score plummets to '0' in HRC congressional ratings". Washington Blade. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  67. ↑ "Measuring Support for Equality in the 114th Congress | Congressional Scorecard" (PDF). Human Rights Campaign. p. 14.
  68. ↑ Jean, Carline (September 24, 2018). "Ron DeSantis answered question on his stance on gay rights". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  69. ↑ Lynch, Sarah and Colvin, Ross. “Gunfire turns U.S. lawmakers' baseball practice into 'killing field'”, Reuters (Jun 14, 2017).
  70. ↑ Shelbourne, Mallory (August 28, 2017). "GOP lawmaker proposes amendment to stop Mueller investigation after 180 days". The Hill. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  71. ↑ Wright, Austin (August 28, 2017). "Republican floats measure to kill Mueller probe after 6 months". Politico. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  72. ↑ Perez, Evan; Herb, Jeremy; Raju, Manu. "Little chance Congress can kill Mueller's funding". CNN.
  73. ↑ Farrington, Brendan (May 5, 2015). "Republican Congressman DeSantis to run for Rubio Senate seat". Sun-Sentinel. Associated Press. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  74. ↑ Man, Anthony (January 12, 2021). "DeSantis calls insurrection 'really unfortunate' and 'really a sad thing to see'". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  75. ↑ Derby, Kevin (December 16, 2014). "Despite Opposing 'CRomnibus,' Sophomore Ron DeSantis Ascends Congressional Ladder". Sunshine State News. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  76. ↑ "Member List". Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  77. ↑ Jordan, Douglas (December 16, 2012). "DeSantis emphasizes importance of economic growth". St. Augustine Record. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  78. ↑ Guggenheim, Benjamin. “National sales tax becomes focal point for Trump-DeSantis war”, Politico (15 May 2023).
  79. ↑ Cappabianca, Marina. “A close look into DeSantis' voting record”, Spectrum News NY1 (3 May 2023).
  80. ↑ Wexler, Gene (January 3, 2013). "New St. Johns Rep. opens up on financial and governmental reforms". WOKV. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  81. ↑ Siefring, Neil (August 4, 2015). "The REINS Act will keep regulations and their costs in check". The Hill. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  82. 1 2 "Ron DeSantis, R-Fla. (6th District)". Roll Call. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  83. ↑ Gancarski, A.G. (July 31, 2015). "Email insights: Ron DeSantis, "Taxpayer Superhero"". Florida Politics. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  84. ↑ DeSantis, Ron; Jordan, Jim (July 27, 2015). "The Stonewall at the Top of the IRS". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  85. ↑ Perry, Mitch (July 28, 2015). "Ron DeSantis wants Obama to remove IRS commissioner – or else". Florida Politics. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  86. ↑ "Resolution Introduced to Impeach IRS Commissioner". House Oversight Committee. October 27, 2015. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  87. ↑ "DeSantis: Lois Lerner's Attempt to Exonerate Herself Not Convincing". Press Release. September 22, 2014. Archived from the original on November 2, 2014.
  88. ↑ Derby, Kevin (March 16, 2015). "Marco Rubio, Ron DeSantis Restore 'Let Seniors Work Act'". Sunshine State News. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  89. ↑ Kasperowicz, Pete. “GOP bill ends taxes on Social Security payments”, The Hill (January 22, 2014).
  90. 1 2 3 Sherman, Amy. “Fact Check: Adam Putnam ad exaggerates Ron DeSantis votes on Social Security, Medicare”, PolitiFact via WBBH (August 13, 2018).
  91. 1 2 3 Reyes, Yacob. “DeSantis takes different tack on Social Security, Medicare than when he was in Congress”, Politifact via Tampa Bay Times (March 17, 2023).
  92. ↑ Laing, Keith (June 10, 2015). "Bill filed to sharply reduce the gas tax". The Hill. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  93. ↑ Lee, Mike; DeSantis, Ron (June 10, 2015). "Economy Commentary Let America Fix the Highways Washington Broke". The Daily Signal. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  94. ↑ Dixon, Matt (June 28, 2013). "Retail group assails DeSantis over Internet sales tax". St. Augustine Record. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  95. ↑ Almukhtar, Sarah (December 19, 2017). "How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill". The New York Times. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  96. ↑ Brown, Stephanie (December 19, 2017). "Northeast Florida lawmakers divided on impact of tax reform plan". Wokv.com. WOKV Radio. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  97. ↑ Harper, Jennifer (February 2, 2015). "No more 'ruling class culture': New legislation would jettison pensions for Congress". The Washington Times. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  98. ↑ "Ron DeSantis files paperwork to run for Governor of Florida". First Coast News News. January 5, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  99. ↑ Farrington, Brendan (January 5, 2018). "Trump's tweeted choice for Florida governor enters the race". Associated Press News. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  100. ↑ Mahoney, Emily (July 30, 2018). "New lighthearted Ron DeSantis ad features his family, Trump jokes". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  101. ↑ Martin, Jonathan (July 30, 2018). "In Florida, Not All Politics Are Local, as Trump Shapes Governor's Race". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 30, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  102. ↑ "Andrew Gillum, a Black Progressive, and Ron DeSantis, a Trump Acolyte, Win Florida Governor Primaries". The New York Times. August 28, 2018. Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  103. 1 2 3 Rohrer, Gray (August 31, 2018). "Florida governor's race: Where Ron DeSantis, Andrew Gillum stand on the issues". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  104. 1 2 3 Swisher, Skyler (August 31, 2018). "Where do governor hopefuls Ron DeSantis, Andrew Gillum stand on the issues?". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  105. ↑ "Ron DeSantis gets solid hits on national issues in Fox News debate". Florida Politics. June 29, 2018.
  106. ↑ Dailey, Ryan (June 29, 2018). "Putnam, DeSantis Find Common Ground Opposing Recreational Pot". News.wfsu.org. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  107. ↑ Clark, Dartunorro; Vitali, Ali (August 29, 2018). "Gillum responds to 'monkey this up' comment: DeSantis is joining Trump 'in the swamp'". NBC News. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  108. ↑ Connolly, Griffin (August 30, 2018). "Florida's Ron DeSantis Doubles Down on 'Monkey This Up' Comment". Roll Call. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  109. ↑ Jacobs, Julia (August 29, 2018). "DeSantis Warns Florida Not to 'Monkey This Up,' and Many Hear a Racist Dog Whistle". The New York Times. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  110. ↑ Walters, Joanna (August 29, 2018). "Ron DeSantis tells Florida voters not to 'monkey this up' by choosing Gillum". The Guardian. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  111. 1 2 Filkins, Dexter (June 18, 2022). "Can Ron DeSantis Displace Donald Trump as the G.O.P.'s Combatant-in-Chief?". The New Yorker. Retrieved June 21, 2022. DeSantis insisted that there was no racial motive behind the statement — 'He uses a lot of dorky phrases like that,' one of his former colleagues told me — and the outrage didn't endure..
  112. ↑ "A Frustrated Ron DeSantis Dogged By Questions Of Race", CBS News (September 20, 2018): "DeSantis strongly denied that charge...."
  113. ↑ Wootson, Cleve. "'We Negroes' robocall is an attempt to 'weaponize race' in Florida campaign, Gillum warns", Washington Post (September 2, 2018): "GOP candidate Ron DeSantis denies any racial intent...."
  114. ↑ Sarlin, Benjy. "DeSantis wins Florida governor's race, defeating progressive Andrew Gillum", NBC News (November 6, 2018): "DeSantis denied the charge...."
  115. ↑ "GOP Florida governor nominee Ron DeSantis criticized for "monkey" remark". CBS News. August 29, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2018. The race between Gillum and DeSantis is widely seen as a toss-up.
  116. ↑ "4 Florida sheriffs, including Brevard County's Wayne Ivey, back Ron DeSantis". Florida Today. October 16, 2018.
  117. ↑ "Thin blue line goes red: Police chiefs backing Ron DeSantis". Florida Politics. October 31, 2018.
  118. ↑ Caputo, Marc. "DeSantis to name Nuñez as Florida's first Cuban-American female running mate". Politico. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  119. ↑ Moe, Alex; Shabad, Rebecca; Vitali, Ali (September 10, 2018). "Amid heated governor's race, Ron DeSantis resigns from Congress". NBC News. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  120. ↑ Contorno, Steve. "Morning Joe mocks Ron DeSantis for ducking tough questions on Florida issues". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
  121. ↑ Wilson, Kirby. "Florida governor election results: Andrew Gillum versus Ron DeSantis". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  122. ↑ "Gillum reverses course on conceding Florida governor race". CNBC. November 10, 2018. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  123. ↑ "With Florida recount over, Andrew Gillum's last chance to become governor rests with the courts". USA Today. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  124. ↑ Nam, Rafael (November 15, 2018). "Florida Senate race heads to a hand recount". The Hill. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  125. ↑ Dan Merica; Sophie Tatum (November 17, 2018). "Andrew Gillum concedes Florida governor's race to Ron DeSantis". CNN. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  126. ↑ Contorno, Steve (November 8, 2021). "Florida Gov. DeSantis officially launches 2022 reelection bid". CNN. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  127. ↑ Greenwood, Max (November 8, 2021). "DeSantis officially files paperwork for reelection bid". The Hill. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  128. ↑ Miami Herald (via McClatchy), "Feds say $5,000 donation to Florida Gov. Crist is illegal". February 27, 2009 (accessed October 16, 2019)
  129. ↑ Greenlee, Will (November 7, 2022). "Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist urges people to vote, criticizes incumbent in SLC". MSN. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  130. ↑ Stone, Tyler (November 4, 2022). "Charlie Crist: I'm Pro-Democracy, DeSantis Is One Of The Biggest Threats To Democracy". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  131. ↑ Greenwood, Max (October 25, 2022). "DeSantis slams Crist as a 'worn-out, old donkey' in Florida gubernatorial debate". The Hill. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  132. ↑ Schemmel, Alec (October 24, 2022). "DeSantis claims Crist only showed up to work for 14 days this year: 'Imagine that deal for you'". The National Desk. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  133. ↑ Anderson, Zac (November 9, 2022). "DeSantis strengthens potential presidential campaign with landslide reelection win". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  134. ↑ Pengelly, Martin (November 9, 2022). "Ron DeSantis landslide victory brings Trump and 2024 into focus". The Guardian. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  135. ↑ Mahoney, Emily L.; Peace, Lauren (November 8, 2022). "DeSantis wins second term as Florida governor, beating Crist in landslide". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  136. ↑ Kennedy, John (November 9, 2022). "With GOP sweep, Gov. Ron DeSantis says he recast Florida's political map". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  137. ↑ Barone, Michael (November 9, 2022). "Trump and Biden big losers, DeSantis big winner in 2022". Washington Examiner. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  138. ↑ Man, Anthony; Dusenbury, Wells (November 10, 2022). "DeSantis-led red wave penetrates even once-blue Palm Beach County". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  139. ↑ Lo, Dodds (November 8, 2022). "Charlie Crist drowned by Democrat groans as he concedes to Ron DeSantis in Florida". MSN. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  140. ↑ Lo, Dodds (November 8, 2022). "DeSantis Delivers Victory Speech After Defeating Crist in Race For Florida Governor". MSN. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  141. ↑ "DeSantis already governor when ceremony begins". Tampa Bay Times.
  142. ↑ "DeSantis stacks conservative agenda; presidential run looms". AP NEWS. May 4, 2023. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  143. ↑ Wilson, Sarah (January 11, 2019). "Florida clemency board pardons Groveland Four 70 years later". WFTV 9 ABC. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  144. ↑ Davis, Zuri (January 11, 2019). "70 Years After They Were Wrongly Imprisoned, the Groveland Four Have Been Pardoned". Reason.com. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  145. ↑ DeSantis replaces Scott Israel, and names Broward’s first African-American sheriff DeSantis replaces Scott Israel, and names Broward’s first African-American sheriff, Miami Herald, Julie K. Brown, Martin Vassolo, January 11, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  146. ↑ "State of Florida Office of the Governor Executive Order 19–14" (PDF). flgov.com. January 11, 2019. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  147. ↑ J. Dudley Goodlette (September 24, 2019). Report and Recommendation of Special Master Archived December 7, 2022, at the Wayback Machine The Florida Senate.
  148. ↑ Dixon, Matt (April 30, 2021). "'Ron's regime': Florida Republicans give DeSantis what he wants". Politico. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  149. ↑ Call, James (April 30, 2021). "It's over. Who won? Who lost? A look back at the 2021 Florida legislative session". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  150. ↑ Smith, Allan; Caputo, Marc (June 1, 2022). "'Full-throttle': How the Florida Legislature is making Ron DeSantis a GOP juggernaut". NBC News. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  151. ↑ How DeSantis became Florida’s most powerful governor in a generation
  152. ↑ Fineout, Gary (January 13, 2022). "'If you cross him once, you're dead': DeSantis keeps tight grip on Florida lawmakers". POLITICO.
  153. ↑ Mazzei, Patricia (May 24, 2023). "How Ron DeSantis Maximized the Power of the Florida Governor's Office". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  154. ↑ Millsap, Adam A. (October 22, 2018). "The Economic Policies Of Florida's Gubernatorial Candidates". Forbes. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  155. ↑ Djinis, Elizabeth (October 17, 2022). "DeSant-O-Meter: Dip in corporate income tax rate was only temporary". PolitiFact.
  156. ↑ Halaschak, Zachary (May 10, 2023). "DeFlorida Blueprint: DeSantis's economic record as governor". Washington Examiner.
  157. ↑ Wilson, Drew (June 22, 2019). "Ron DeSantis signs 2019-20 budget, issues $131 million in line-item vetoes". FloridaPolitics. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  158. ↑ "Gov. DeSantis signs $91 billion state budget". WFLA-TV. June 21, 2019. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  159. 1 2 "DeSantis signs $101.5B Florida budget after vetoing $1.5B". AP News. June 2, 2021.
  160. ↑ Turner, Jim (June 2, 2021). "Gov. DeSantis signs record $101.5 billion budget, vetoes $1.5 billion". WJXT.
  161. ↑ Park, Clayton (November 22, 2021). "DeSantis visits Daytona Buc-ee's to announce proposal to waive Florida's gas tax". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  162. ↑ Moran, Danielle (July 7, 2022). "Florida Posts $21.8 Billion Budget Surplus, a State Record". Bloomberg.
  163. ↑ Lane, Sylvan (August 5, 2020). "DeSantis blames Rick Scott for 'pointless roadblocks' in Florida unemployment system". The Hill.
  164. ↑ Carollo, Malena; Mahoney, Emily L.; DiNatale, Sara (October 22, 2020). "Florida's economy has entered a 'partial recovery.' Here's how that's playing out". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  165. ↑ Shaw, Derrick (December 30, 2020). "Gov. DeSantis extends unemployment waivers until Feb 27". WINK-TV. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  166. ↑ "State unemployment rates over the last 10 years, seasonally adjusted". www.bls.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  167. 1 2 Contorno, Steve. ”DeSantis says GOP will not 'mess with Social Security,' as Democrats and Trump slam his past support for privatization”, CNN (March 2, 2023).
  168. ↑ Postal, Leslie (June 10, 2021). "Florida board votes to ban critical race theory from state classrooms". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  169. ↑ Samee Ali, Safia (June 10, 2021). "Florida Board of Education passes rule banning critical race theory in classrooms". NBC News. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  170. ↑ Felice, William (March 6, 2023). "How Gov. DeSantis whitewashes American history". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  171. ↑ Beals, Monique (September 14, 2021). "DeSantis calls for end to standardized testing in Florida". The Hill. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  172. ↑ Finn, Teaganne (December 15, 2021). "DeSantis pushes bill targeting critical race theory in schools". NBC News. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  173. ↑ Walsh, Susan (December 16, 2021). "Florida's DeSantis pitches 'Stop WOKE Act' – as in 'Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees' – to banish perceived influence of critical race theory from schools and workplaces". MarketWatch. Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  174. ↑ Migdon, Brooke (August 19, 2022). "What is DeSantis's 'Stop WOKE Act'?". The Hill. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  175. ↑ "Florida's Governor Just Signed the 'Stop Woke Act.' Here's What It Means for Schools". Time. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  176. ↑ "Judge blocks Florida's 'Stop WOKE Act' pushed by Gov. DeSantis". NBC News. Associated Press. August 19, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  177. ↑ "VICTORY: After FIRE lawsuit, court halts enforcement of key provisions of the Stop WOKE Act limiting how Florida professors can teach about race, sex". Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. November 17, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  178. ↑ Calvan, Bobby Calina (January 16, 2020). "Florida high court sides with governor on felon voter rights". Associated Press News. Associated Press. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  179. ↑ Mazzei, Patricia (September 11, 2020). "Ex-Felons in Florida Must Pay Fines Before Voting, Appeals Court Rules". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 11, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  180. ↑ CBS Miami (April 11, 2019). "Gov. DeSantis Directs Action On Spanish-Language Ballots". CBS News. Archived from the original on July 12, 2022.
  181. ↑ Mower, Lawrence. "Ron DeSantis signs crack down on constitutional amendments, solidifying Republican control in Florida". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  182. ↑ "Ballot Initiatives Measure Goes To Florida Governor Ron Desantis". June 6, 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  183. ↑ Saunders, Jim (June 9, 2019). "Orlando Area News: Gov. DeSantis signs HB5, 'eviscerating' the democratic process in Florida". Orlando Weekly. News Service of Florida.
  184. ↑ Calvan, Bobby (May 5, 2021). "Florida inquiry clears Bloomberg over felons voting case". Associated Press.
  185. 1 2 Riccardi, Nicholas; Calvan, Bobby Caina (February 19, 2021). "Florida is a model for voting. The GOP wants change anyway". Associated Press.
  186. 1 2 Contorno, Steve (April 13, 2021). "DeSantis wants voters' signatures to match. Would his pass the test?". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  187. ↑ Mahoney, Emily (July 6, 2022). "Elections, lawsuits may shape how DeSantis 'will work to expand pro-life protections'". Miami Herald.
  188. ↑ Fineout, Gary (June 30, 2022). "Florida's new abortion law halted as DeSantis vows to fight on". Politico. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  189. ↑ Call, James. "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs Mississippi-style abortion ban into law". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  190. ↑ Contorno, Steve (April 14, 2022). "DeSantis signs Florida's 15-week abortion ban into law". CNN. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  191. ↑ Larson, Erik (June 30, 2022). "Florida Judge Says He Will Block New Abortion Restriction". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  192. ↑ Davis, Wynne (April 14, 2022). "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs a bill banning abortions after 15 weeks". NPR.
  193. ↑ Chu, Andrea (July 5, 2022). "State's appeal nullifies Judge's temporary block of Florida's 15-week abortion ban". WTSP. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  194. ↑ Dixon, Matt (January 23, 2023). "Florida Supreme Court agrees to hear challenge to 15 week abortion law". Politico. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  195. ↑ Varn, Kathryn (April 14, 2023). "DeSantis signs six-week abortion ban into law in private late-night ceremony". USA Today. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  196. ↑ Etienne, Vanessa (April 14, 2023). "Rape, Incest Victims Must Show Proof to Get Exception to Florida's New Abortion Ban". People. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  197. 1 2 Gary Fineout (June 21, 2023). "Abortion in Florida remains in limbo until conservative state high court ruling". Politico.
  198. ↑ Chen, David W.; Mazzei, Patricia (March 7, 2023). "Florida Republicans Propose 6-Week Abortion Ban". The New York Times.
  199. ↑ "Gov. DeSantis announces legislation to crack down on big tech, online censorship". WTXL-TV. February 2, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  200. ↑ Rohrer, Gray (February 2, 2021). "DeSantis vows to punish Big Tech for targeting conservatives". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  201. ↑ Ingram, David; Kamisar, Ben (April 30, 2021). "In nod to Trump, Florida is set to ban 'deplatforming' on social media". NBC News. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  202. ↑ Fung, Brian (July 1, 2021). "Federal judge blocks Florida law targeting social media platforms". CNN Business. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  203. ↑ Thebault, Reis; Iati, Marisa (June 7, 2021). "DeSantis applauds fired whistleblower's Twitter suspension, the latest in an ongoing feud". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  204. ↑ Shackford, Scott (June 8, 2021). "Ron DeSantis Is Celebrating Twitter's Ban of Rebekah Jones. His Own Big Tech Law Could Force Them To Replatform Her". Reason.com. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  205. ↑ Contorno, Steve (May 24, 2023). "The DeSantis-Musk alliance was a year in the making | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  206. ↑ Wootson, Cleve R. Jr.; Stanley-Becker, Isaac; Rozsa, Lori; Dawsey, Josh (July 25, 2020). "Coronavirus ravaged Florida, as Ron DeSantis sidelined scientists and followed Trump". The Washington Post.
  207. ↑ Krischer Goodman, Cindy. "Secrecy and spin: How Florida's governor misled the public on the COVID-19 pandemic". Sun Sentinel. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  208. ↑ "Florida and DeSantis Defy Covid-19 and the Critics". Bloomberg.com. May 21, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  209. ↑ Cetoute, Devoun (May 4, 2023). "As COVID begins its fourth year, here's how Florida fared in cases, deaths and vaccines". Miami Herald. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  210. 1 2 Woolfolk, John. “Why major study argues Florida’s COVID death rate compares favorably to California’s”, The Mercury News (April 2, 2023): "Florida’s older, unhealthier population contributed to its higher number of deaths ... COVID-19 is deadlier among the aged and diseased .... With an adjustment to show what it would look like if each state had the same age and health profile as the United States as a whole, Florida’s death rate jumped to 12th lowest, while California’s fell to 36th."
  211. ↑ "Florida's COVID-19 deaths are still among the highest in the nation". WUSF Public Media. October 14, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2023. When looking at all COVID-19 deaths in the state, the age-adjusted mortality rate per 100,000 has Florida ranked 24th in the nation. The New York Times analysis places Florida's overall death rate as the 10th highest in the nation.
  212. ↑ Bollyky, Thomas et al. “Assessing COVID-19 pandemic policies and behaviours and their economic and educational trade-offs across US states from Jan 1, 2020, to July 31, 2022: an observational analysis”, The Lancet (March 23, 2023).
  213. ↑ Lewis, Helen (November 10, 2022). "DeSantis's COVID Gamble Paid Off: Florida's governor turned his coronavirus policies into a parable of American freedom". The Atlantic.
  214. ↑ Dokoupil, Tony; Finn, Martin (November 3, 2022). "'This is a deeply emotional issue:' Florida Gov. DeSantis' handling of COVID-19 helped shape his reelection campaign". CBS News.
  215. ↑ "UPDATE 1-Florida joins states to ban transgender girls from sports". Reuters. June 1, 2021.
  216. ↑ Diaz, Jaclyn (March 28, 2022). "Florida's governor signs controversial law opponents dubbed 'Don't Say Gay'". NPR.
  217. ↑ "Florida House passes controversial 'Don't Say Gay' bill". ABC News. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  218. ↑ Contorno, Steve (February 7, 2022). "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signals support for 'Don't Say Gay' bill". CNN. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  219. ↑ O'Connor, Lydia (March 28, 2022). "Gov. Ron DeSantis Signs Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' Bill Into Law". Huffington Post. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  220. ↑ Goldstein, Dana (March 18, 2022). "Opponents Call It the 'Don't Say Gay' Bill. Here's What It Says". The New York Times. This parental-notification requirement appears to apply to any student, regardless of age or circumstances — the student could be seeking health services for gender issues, sexuality, depression, substance use, a parental divorce or any other challenge.
  221. ↑ "Florida Is Doubling Down on Its 'Don't Say Gay' Laws". Time. March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  222. ↑ "DeSantis to expand 'Don't Say Gay' law to all grades". Associated Press. March 22, 2023.
  223. ↑ Alfonseca, Kiara (April 19, 2023). "So-called 'Don't Say Gay' rules expanded through 12th grade in Florida". ABC 7 New York. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  224. ↑ Izaguirre, Anthony; Farrington, Brendan (April 19, 2023). "Florida expands 'Don't Say Gay'; House OKs anti-LGBTQ bills". Associated Press. The rule change would ban lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity from grades 4-12, unless required by existing state standards or as part of reproductive health instruction that students can choose not to take.
  225. ↑ Durkee, Alison (March 28, 2022). "Disney Says Striking Down 'Don't Say Gay' Law Is Company's 'Goal' After DeSantis Signs Bill". Forbes. Archived from the original on April 3, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  226. ↑ Durke, Alison (April 1, 2022). "Here's How Florida Republicans Could Punish Disney For 'Don't Say Gay' Opposition". Forbes. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  227. ↑ Lemongello, Steven; Swisher, Syler (April 22, 2022). "DeSantis signs bill eliminating Walt Disney World's Reedy Creek district; Fitch warns of bond downgrade". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on April 22, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  228. ↑ "A prison at Disney World? DeSantis says he'll reassert control over special Florida district". Los Angeles Times. April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  229. ↑ Bradner, Eric; Contorno, Steve (April 26, 2023). "Disney sues DeSantis and oversight board after vote to nullify agreement with special taxing district". CNN. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  230. ↑ Volz, Brianna (May 5, 2021). "'We're funding the police and then some:' Gov. Ron DeSantis promises $1,000 checks for Florida's first responders". WKMG. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  231. ↑ "Ron DeSantis unveils $5,000 signing bonus to draw police officers to Florida". The Independent. September 8, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  232. ↑ Cardona, Alexi (April 20, 2021). "We Read DeSantis' 'Anti-Riot' Bill So You Don't Have to — Here's What It Says". Miami New Times.
  233. ↑ Farrington, Brendan (April 19, 2021). "DeSantis signs Florida's anti-riot bill, cites Chauvin trial". Associated Press. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  234. ↑ Ceballos, Ana (September 10, 2021). "Federal judge blocks key portion of anti-riot law, targets DeSantis and three sheriffs". Miami Herald.
  235. ↑ "'We're funding the police': Gov. DeSantis announces $1,000 bonus for first responders". WESH. May 5, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  236. ↑ "Gov. DeSantis proposes reestablishing Florida State Guard civilian volunteer force". News4JAX. December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  237. ↑ Prazan, Phil (December 10, 2021). "Gov. DeSantis Wants a Florida State Guard. Here's How They Work in Other States". WTVJ. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  238. ↑ "Advocates say Florida governor's 'sanctuary bill' politically motivated". NBC News. Associated Press. June 16, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  239. ↑ "Florida Governor Signs Bill Banning Sanctuary Policies". Huffington Post. June 14, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  240. ↑ Koh, Elizabeth (June 14, 2019). "Gov. DeSantis signs 'sanctuary cities' ban into law. There aren't any in Florida". Miami Herald. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  241. ↑ Shoichet, Catherine E. "Florida becomes 12th state to ban sanctuary cities". FOX Carolina. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  242. ↑ Ceballos, Ana (June 30, 2020). "DeSantis (quietly) signs requirement for electronic verification of immigration status". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  243. ↑ Caina Calvan, Bobby (July 1, 2020). "Without fanfare, Florida governor signs E-Verify legislation". Associated Press. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  244. ↑ Lemongello, Steven (June 30, 2020). "DeSantis quietly signs abortion consent, E-Verify immigration laws". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  245. ↑ Kennedy, John (March 12, 2020). "Legislature deals Gov. Ron DeSantis a setback on E-Verify". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  246. ↑ Saunders, Jim. “Gov. DeSantis signs controversial bill targeting local illegal immigration”, Yahoo News (May 10, 2023).
  247. ↑ Fineout, Gary (September 28, 2021). "DeSantis opens new fight with Biden over immigration". Politico PRO. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  248. ↑ "Venezuelans slam DeSantis after migrants flown to Martha's Vineyard". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  249. ↑ Porterfield, Carlie (September 20, 2022). ""Venezuelan Migrants Sue DeSantis For Flying Them To Martha's Vineyard 'Under False Pretenses'"". Forbes. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  250. ↑ Sandoval, Edgar; Jordan, Miriam; Mazzei, Patricia; Goodman, J. David (October 4, 2022). "The Story Behind DeSantis's Migrant Flights to Martha's Vineyard". The New York Times.
  251. ↑ ”DeSantis to send Florida National Guard soldiers to Texas for border security”, Associated Press (May 16, 2023).
  252. ↑ Sivco, Katie (October 6, 2022). "Biden praises DeSantis' response to Hurricane Ian". WESH.com.
  253. ↑ Contorno, Steve (October 8, 2022). "Democrats were already struggling in Florida. Then came Hurricane Ian". CNN.
  254. ↑ Finch, Allison (October 3, 2022). "Florida faces grim reality: Hurricane Ian is deadliest storm in state since 1935". AccuWeather. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  255. ↑ "Ron DeSantis has handled Hurricane Ian effectively". MSN. October 4, 2022.
  256. ↑ "Gov. DeSantis declares state of emergency for all of Florida as Tropical Storm Ian threatens the state". FOX 35. Orlando, Florida. September 24, 2022. Archived from the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  257. ↑ Egan, Lauren (October 5, 2022). "Biden meets with DeSantis while surveying Hurricane Ian damage in Florida". NBC.
  258. ↑ "Biden, DeSantis deliver remarks after surveying Florida storm damage". Washington Post. October 5, 2022 – via YouTube.
  259. ↑ Salahieh, Nouran; Andone, Dakin (October 3, 2022). "Death toll from Hurricane Ian surpasses 100 as the search for survivors continues in Florida". CNN. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  260. ↑ McDonnell, Tim (April 7, 2023). "Ron DeSantis's climate contradictions". Semafor. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  261. ↑ HABERKORN, JENNIFER (August 30, 2023). "DeSantis tells Biden: Keep your IRA money". Politico. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  262. ↑ Natter, Ari (July 11, 2023). "DeSantis Says No Thanks to $377 Million in Federal Energy Funds". BNN Bloomberg. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  263. ↑ Calder, Meta (August 21, 2023). "Veto of energy-efficiency funding falls squarely on the poor". The invading sea. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  264. ↑ "How much does energy efficiency cost?". Energy Sage. April 5, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  265. ↑ "DeSantis seeks energy-saving rebates in apparent change of heart". December 18, 2023.
  266. ↑ Fineout, Gary (August 11, 2020). "DeSantis squelches talk of a White House run". Politico. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  267. ↑ Levin, Jonathan (September 7, 2021). "DeSantis Says Talk of Presidential Run Is 'Purely Manufactured'". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  268. ↑ "'It's nonsense': Gov. DeSantis brushes off idea he would run for president in 2024". WFLA 8. September 7, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  269. ↑ Klas, Mary Ellen. “DeSantis meets with Japan’s top leaders in first stop of international trade mission”, Bradenton Herald (April 24, 2023).
  270. ↑ Kamisar, Ben. "Polls show Trump with big lead over DeSantis. But against Biden, it's a different story", NBC News (April 21, 2023).
  271. ↑ Navarro, Aaron; Linton, Caroline (February 28, 2022). "Trump wins CPAC 2024 straw poll, DeSantis is second but more than 30 points behind". CBS (Digital). Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  272. ↑ Romano, Andrew; LoBianco, Tom (July 22, 2022). "GOP insiders think DeSantis could beat Trump in 2024. Here's how". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  273. ↑ Hart, Benjamin (July 19, 2022). "Trump Is Losing Ground to DeSantis in Poll After Poll". Intelligencer. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  274. ↑ Gancarski, A. G. (July 18, 2022). "Poll shows Ron DeSantis above 50% versus Donald Trump in Florida". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  275. ↑ "Ron DeSantis landslide victory brings Trump and 2024 into focus". The Guardian. November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  276. ↑ "Trump left 'fuming' after at least 14 of his candidates projected to lose in midterms: Sources". ABC News. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  277. ↑ Jackson, David. "2024 preview? Ron DeSantis does a book tour to discuss his Florida record - not Donald Trump". USA TODAY. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  278. ↑ "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis launches 2024 presidential campaign to challenge Trump". AP NEWS. May 24, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  279. ↑ "DeSantis launches GOP presidential campaign in Twitter announcement plagued by glitches". AP NEWS. May 24, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  280. 1 2 3 Lakritz, Talia (December 1, 2022). "Ron DeSantis' wife, Casey, has been instrumental in the Florida governor's rise to fame. Here's a timeline of their relationship". Business Insider (Digital). Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  281. ↑ DeSantis, Ron (February 28, 2023). The Courage to Be Free. New York City, New York, United States of America: Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0-0632-7600-0.
  282. ↑ "Meet the Family". Ron DeSantis for Governor. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  283. ↑ Galbraith, Alex (November 4, 2022). "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was married at Walt Disney World". Orlando Weekly.
  284. 1 2 Kurtz, Judy (February 28, 2023). "DeSantis says he insisted on 'no Disney characters' at his Disney World wedding". The Hill.
  285. ↑ "RollCall.com – Member Profile – Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla". CQ Roll Call. Archived from the original on March 4, 2020.
  286. ↑ Mark Harper (September 30, 2016). "Congressman Ron DeSantis moves to Flagler County". News-journalonline.com. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  287. ↑ "Ronald Dion DeSantis – Florida Resident Database". October 19, 2016. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  288. ↑ DeSantis, Casey [@FLCaseyDeSantis] (March 30, 2020). "Ron and I are beyond blessed" (Tweet). Retrieved March 30, 2020 – via Twitter.
  289. ↑ "Ron Desantis" (PDF). Vignette by National Journal. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 15, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  290. ↑ "Ron DeSantis: The 100 Most Influential People of 2022". Time. May 23, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  291. ↑ Mullins, Kyle (September 29, 2023). "Here's How Much Ron DeSantis Is Worth". Forbes. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  292. ↑ Contorno, Kit Maher,Steve (July 1, 2023). "DeSantis' net worth is more than $1.17 million, newly filed state disclosure shows". CNN. Retrieved October 12, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  293. ↑ Nehamas, Nicholas (June 30, 2023). "DeSantis Financial Disclosure Puts Him in the Millionaires Club". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 12, 2023 – via NYTimes.com.
  294. ↑ Brockell, Gillian (May 21, 2023). "Ron DeSantis's context-free history book vanished online. We got a copy". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 22, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Ron DeSantis.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ron DeSantis.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.