Florida Governor Ron DeSantis initiated the state’s legislative session on Tuesday with a politically charged speech that highlighted the stark differences between his conservative governance and Democratic leadership. The speech seemed to be aimed at the voters in Iowa, who will play a crucial role in determining the success of his presidential campaign.
DeSantis began his annual State of the State address by stating, “We are in the midst of a great upheaval throughout the nation,” before painting a grim picture of the current state of the nation and Democratic-led cities such as San Francisco, Chicago, and Washington, DC. He concluded his speech with a statement that hinted at a mission that extends beyond Florida’s borders, “Together, we will keep Florida free and provide hope for a revival of the American spirit throughout these United States.”
The Governor’s remarks came just six days before the Iowa caucuses and amidst a Midwest blizzard that forced some of his competitors to cancel campaign events in the Hawkeye State. DeSantis, who has bet his political future on a strong performance in the first nominating contest, took a rare break from the campaign trail to address his state’s legislative session.
DeSantis used the opportunity to recount his political victories in Florida, praising the Republican-controlled legislature’s work in 2023 as “monumental”. He highlighted the passage of several bills that have formed the foundation of his presidential campaign, including new laws to ban Covid-related restrictions, expansion of gun rights, and a ban on most abortions after six weeks into a pregnancy.
Despite his achievements, there are few indications that a majority of Republicans in Iowa, New Hampshire, or elsewhere are convinced that DeSantis’ Florida “blueprint” provides a better path forward for the party than renominating former president Donald Trump.
As DeSantis continues his presidential campaign, questions remain about his engagement with state lawmakers and his vision for the 60-day legislative session. His political allies and opponents in Tallahassee are already speculating about how a defeated DeSantis may govern with an eye towards preserving his legacy as governor and positioning himself for a future in the Republican Party.
Regardless of the outcome of his presidential campaign, DeSantis still holds considerable power as governor. However, the question remains whether he can command lawmakers as he has in recent years, when he called them into multiple special sessions to address his political priorities.
In the event of a loss in the nomination, Florida Democrats are eager to remind their Republican colleagues of the consequences of their efforts to boost DeSantis. State Senator Shevrin Jones, a Miami Democrat, criticized the campaign, stating, “The unfortunate part is all of this was done at the expense of people’s lives – Black people’s lives, immigrants’ lives, LGBTQ people’s lives – all for you to have a failing campaign. You wasted everyone’s time, including yours.”