Expanding gun rights, disregarding diversity programs and banning books, Ron DeSantis has become the darling of American conservatives for adopting an “anti-woke” agenda that has fueled his rise in the Republican Party.
The governor of Florida — who will announce on Wednesday that he is running for president, ending months of feverish speculation — has spent four years molding his state into the front lines of the battle for America’s soul.
As he steels himself for an 18-month campaign against his one-time cheerleader Donald Trump, the 44-year-old is offering Republicans a version of Trumpism without the chaos that often accompanies the twice-impeached former president .
In recent months, DeSantis’ informal campaign has been hammered by the Trump juggernaut, but he has won some significant converts.
Former Trump aide Steve Cortes told CNN, “I am honored to advocate for President Trump … Now I believe this is the natural next step in that movement.”
“Governor DeSantis is the most elected, most conservative candidate who can win the general election, while simultaneously governing effectively.”
DeSantis appears almost daily in the national media to lock horns in cultural wars against the “woke” politicians, businesses and professors he accuses of forcing his progressive ideology on Americans.
His most high-profile initiatives include allowing Floridians to carry concealed guns without a permit, implementing one of the nation’s most restrictive abortion laws, and banning classroom discussion of sexuality and gender identity.
– Covid Record –
He has also barred universities from spending public money on diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and liberals have lamented education policies that have led to the removal of dozens of books from school libraries.
But the outrage has been matched by applause in America’s most conservative circles and media coverage that has given him national exposure.
Little remains of the political finesse that powered Trump to a surprise victory in the 2018 Florida gubernatorial election after he was lauded with the support of the Republican kingmaker.
DeSantis’ handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, his emphasis on a rapid reopening of the economy, and his opposition to President Joe Biden’s administration shutdown made him an instant hit.
He won a landslide re-election as governor in 2020, and has since sought a national platform, setting out his political vision in speeches in several early voting states he would need to win the nomination.
In his memoir – “The Courage to Be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Revival” – DeSantis writes about the struggle of “we the people” against the “oligarchs who razed our country to the ground.”
Born in Jacksonville, Florida, on September 14, 1978, to a middle-class family of Italian descent, DeSantis went to Yale University before attending Harvard Law School, where he was a standout baseball player.
He practiced law in the US Navy and entered politics in 2012, winning a seat in the House of Representatives before his narrow election as governor in 2018.
Underscoring his alignment with Trump, the candidate released a flattering campaign ad in which he is seen building a wall of toy blocks with his daughter in reference to the then-president’s plans for a border wall with Mexico .
– Polling far behind Trump –
But relations soured when the governor was comfortably re-elected. Trump, incensed by a potential rival, began attacking the upstart daily, calling him “Ron de Sanximonias”.
Doubts continue over Trump’s electoral eligibility following felony financial allegations, a finding of liability in a civil sexual assault case and a criminal investigation into alleged election interference and the falsification of government documents.
But DeSantis has failed to spot a misstep, which has raised red flags over his preparation for the highest office, as his 76-year-old rival holds an average polling lead of nearly 40 points.
A bitter and avoidable feud with Disney, Florida’s largest private employer, over its politics has confounded champions of the free market, while a six-week abortion ban has moderates worried that it is out of touch with public opinion. are out.
DeSantis has also been accused of appearing light-hearted on foreign policy, downplaying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and making “low-wattage” speeches during a recent visit to Britain.
Analysts are warning against counting DeSantis out just yet, pointing to his popularity among suburban women who see Trump as toxic and the governor’s position as a winner – something Trump might want Biden to do in his 2020 election. have not been able to claim since the defeat of
According to The New York Times, DeSantis said on a May 18 call for donors, “At this point you have basically three people who are credible in this whole thing – Biden, Trump and me.”
“Two of those three have a chance to be elected president – Biden and me.”
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – AFP,