Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida is positioning himself as the most electable Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential elections.[0] At 44 years old, he is seen as younger, smarter, and more competent than former President Donald Trump, but lacks the charm and charisma of great politicians. However, with Trump expected to announce his own presidential run, DeSantis faces an uphill battle in securing the Republican nomination.
DeSantis is running to be Trump’s successor, but as Trump is also running to be the successor to himself, DeSantis faces an uphill battle. Moreover, DeSantis’ standing with GOP voters has been dented by relentless attacks from Trump, who is sowing doubts about his national viability.[1] Those who have witnessed DeSantis in action, however, say it would be foolish to count him out.[1] “He’s not charming, but he’s a terminator,” says GOP state representative Fiona McFarland.[1]
DeSantis’ wife, Casey DeSantis, plays an uncommonly pivotal role in shaping her husband’s agenda, and is his most trusted adviser.[2] However, several former administration staffers and even the governor’s 2024 supporters complain that her influence isn’t always helpful.[3] She has been described as “blindly ambitious” and more paranoid than her husband.[3] “She’s the scorekeeper,” said a former high-ranking campaign official.[3] DeSantis’ reliance on his wife has led to criticism that he is not surrounded by professional people and is not taking a more traditional role.
DeSantis’ hard-charging first term as governor has seen him sign laws that criminalize abortion after six weeks and outlaw gender-affirming care for trans minors. He has also expanded Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, which prohibits classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity, to cover all grade levels.[4] Critics see DeSantis as a would-be authoritarian, while his allies see him as a conservative who gets things done.[1] In November 2022, DeSantis won a 19-point re-election victory, the biggest win for a Florida governor in decades.[1]
However, DeSantis’ recent actions against Disney, in which he used his position as governor to retaliate against the company for expressing views that don’t align with his goals, have landed him in legal trouble.[5] Disney has sued, claiming that what DeSantis has done is a violation of the First Amendment’s protections for free speech.[5] It’s hard to see how Disney loses that case, should it go to trial.[5]
In conclusion, DeSantis faces an uphill battle in securing the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential elections, with Trump expected to announce his own presidential run. While DeSantis’ hard-charging first term as governor has won him many supporters, his recent actions against Disney have landed him in legal trouble, and his reliance on his wife has led to criticism that he is not surrounded by professional people. Whether DeSantis can overcome these obstacles remains to be seen.[0]
0. “DeSantis is not a conservative – Itemlive” Daily Item, 16 May. 2023, https://www.itemlive.com/2023/05/16/desantis-is-not-a-conservative
1. “What Ron DeSantis’ Florida Agenda Could Mean for America | Time” TIME, 18 May. 2023, https://time.com/6280707/ron-desantis-time-cover
2. “The Casey DeSantis Problem: ‘His Greatest Asset and His Greatest Liability'” POLITICO, 19 May. 2023, https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/05/19/casey-ron-desantis-wife-profile-00097456
3. “Former DeSantis staffers shiv his ‘vindictive’ wife Casey ahead of presidential run” msnNOW, 19 May. 2023, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/former-desantis-staffers-shiv-his-vindictive-wife-casey-ahead-of-presidential-run/ar-AA1bp1zp
4. “Ron “Don’t Say Gay” DeSantis’ presidential bid keeps going from bad to worse… to even worse” Queerty, 15 May. 2023, https://www.queerty.com/ron-dont-say-gay-desantis-presidential-bid-keeps-going-from-bad-to-worse-to-even-worse-20230515
5. “History indicates DeSantis will do what he has to” Pauls Valley Daily Democrat, 17 May. 2023, https://www.paulsvalleydailydemocrat.com/opinion/columns/history-indicates-desantis-will-do-what-he-has-to/article_768b96b6-8c2c-5b07-8a60-5c33b279e1c1.html
