Florida Governor Ron DeSantis answers questions from the media within the Florida Cabinet following his “State of the State” address during a joint session of the Florida Senate and House of Representatives on the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida, on March 7, 2023.
Cheney Orr | AFP | Getty Images
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday boasted that his achievements have made Florida the nation’s top state as he laid out a set of policy goals fueling yet more speculation about his possible run for president in 2024.
“I can promise you this: You ain’t seen nothing yet,” the Republican said at the top of his State of the State address to a joint session of the Florida legislature in Tallahassee. The event marks the beginning of Florida’s 2023 legislative session, which is able to last until May 5.
DeSantis, who’s widely seen as former President Donald Trump’s top rival for the Republican presidential nomination, is predicted to carry off on announcing his White House plans until the top of the legislative session.
The Republican supermajorities within the state legislature will help DeSantis pass an agenda that might span a wide selection of conservative cultural issues and will juice the hype surrounding his political future.
Republicans gained supermajorities in each chambers of the Florida state legislature following the November midterms, when Democrats woefully underperformed within the Sunshine State. Leaders of the state’s House and Senate have vowed to work hand-in-glove with DeSantis to “get his agenda across the finish line.”
A few of those agenda items could include approving measures to hold a concealed gun in public and not using a permit — dubbed “constitutional carry” by supporters, including DeSantis — in addition to an expansion of the highly controversial law limiting discussion of sex and gender in public schools, derided as “Don’t Say Gay” by critics.
DeSantis began his 30-minute speech by declaring that “Florida is primary” and cycling through a lengthy list of the state’s superlatives under his administration. He noted that Florida is currently the nation’s fastest-growing state and touted its economic growth and high tourism rankings.
He also referenced his high-profile political fights over Covid safety rules — when he pushed to lift public health-related lockdown measures — and classroom instruction.
“We rank primary within the nation for education freedom. We rank primary within the nation for parental involvement in education,” DeSantis said within the speech. “We now have prohibited Covid shot mandates in schools.”
Those moves, which prompted major clashes with Democrats and other critics, quickly propelled DeSantis to GOP superstardom, netting him a landslide reelection victory in November.
He also called for “fortifying parents’ rights,” arguing, “our schools must deliver a very good education, not a political indoctrination.”
And he advocated for permanently eliminating sales taxes on baby supplies in order that “having a toddler will probably be tax free,” while making an oblique reference to possible abortion policy goals by stating, “We’re proud to be pro-life within the state of Florida.”
DeSantis has framed Florida as a “blueprint” for America, suggesting that his state-level actions pose a recipe for national success. He spun that narrative in a recent political memoir and the recent release of a campaign-style video touting his achievements in Florida — two strong hints that he’s readying a White House bid.
Polls consistently show Trump and DeSantis are by far the 2 best names among the many sprawling list of possible Republican contenders within the 2024 election.
If he runs for president, DeSantis will join an expanding primary field that already includes Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Others, including former Vice President Mike Pence, are considering their very own presidential campaigns.
DeSantis is reportedly set to go to Iowa on Friday as a part of his book tour. Trump is visiting the state three days later to provide a speech on education policy.
