Today, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will finally announce his entry into the messy 2024 Republican presidential primary, after “limping to the starting line” in a failed attempt to introduce himself to voters.
Since the 2022 midterm election, DeSantis has been laying the groundwork for his presidential campaign, but in six short months, he has fallen further in the polls and lost the support of top GOP donors and elected officials who are lining up behind Donald Trump.
Now the “unapproachable” “loner” with “no friends” — who held off on an early announcement to work an extreme, far-right agenda through Florida’s Republican-controlled state legislature — faces an uphill battle against the leader of today’s Republican Party.
Here’s all you need to know about Ron DeSantis and his disastrous presidential campaign:
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Supports extreme anti-abortion legislation both in state and at the federal level:
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DeSantis was “proud” to sign an extreme six-week abortion ban last month. This latest legislation came on the heels of an abortion ban he signed in his first term with no exceptions for survivors of rape or incest. If elected president, DeSantis has also stated that he’d be open to “adding some type of constitutional [federal ban]” on access to abortion.
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Backs proposals to privatize Social Security, gut Medicare, and raise the age of retirement:
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DeSantis has repeatedly and consistently supported cuts to Social Security and Medicare. While in Congress, he backed budgets that would raise the age of retirement and during his first run for office, he emphasized his interest in privatizing these entitlement programs.
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Supports banning books in classrooms and libraries across the country:
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Under DeSantis’ administration, Florida has banned hundreds of books discussing race, racism and LGBTQ+ identities. Educators have said the new rules create “chaos and fear.” Violating the law “could be a third-degree felony; in general, such crimes are punishable by up to five years in prison.”
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Signed anti-gun safety legislation that puts more guns on the street:
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DeSantis signed into law permitless carry legislation, which would allow people to carry guns without a permit or any training. He has also spoken out against gun safety laws, including assault weapon bans, bump stock bans, and limits on high-capacity magazines — despite the multiple violent tragedies he’s witnessed in his own state as governor. And he’s voted against legislation to protect schools from gun violence, against legislation to strengthen the federal background check system, and against legislation to keep guns out of the hands of terrorists.
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Supports anti-LGBTQ+ legislation:
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DeSantis opposed marriage equality and signed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill into law, leading authorities to investigate at leat one teacher and interrogate children for something as minor as watching a Disney movie with a gay character during class. He has also called to restrict gender-affirming care in Florida.
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Failed Florida as a two-term governor:
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In metric after metric, DeSantis’ Florida has fallen behind the rest of the nation. Health care metrics currently lag behind national averages, education metrics show teacher salaries and student spending are below the national average, and Florida was recently named the least affordable state for people to live in. Additionally, under Ron DeSantis, Floridians have been crushed by property insurance costs at almost three times the national average. And still, he claims to want to “Make America Florida.”
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DeSantis’ fight with Disney has cost the state thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investments. Moreover, taxpayers could have to pay for the Republicans’ petty culture war.
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Sold out Florida’s government to his biggest donors:
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DeSantis and his staff were explicit in the exchange of political contributions for the governor’s time. The governor has accepted thousands to his political committees in exchange for “intimate” gatherings, including meals and rounds of golf. His biggest donors, as well as the donors to his political groups, received contracts, favors, and important appointments.
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For all the information you’ll ever need on the new 2024 Republican presidential primary candidate, check out American Bridge 21st Century’s Ron DeSantis Research Book.
Published: May 24, 2023 | Last Modified: May 25, 2023