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Politics

Ron DeSantis Jumps into Florida Governor’s Race

January 5, 2018 - 9:00am
Ron DeSantis
Ron DeSantis

After months of swirling speculation, U.S. Rep. DeSantis is officially running for Florida governor. 

DeSantis made the announcement Friday. 

DeSantis has represented Florida’s 6th District in Congress since 2013 but widely flew under the radar until recent months when political insiders began speculating he would make a bid for governor.

DeSantis’ first big brush with gubernatorial publicity happened last month, when President Donald Trump tweeted his support for DeSantis, a potential boon to the Congressman’s gubernatorial aspirations.

DeSantis referenced the endorsement in his announcement on Friday, seeming to indicate it was partly Trump’s push which encouraged him to run for the job. 

“As you remember, a few weeks ago the president tweeted support for me as a candidate for governor of Florida,” DeSantis said. “So, today we are going to begin filing paperwork to begin that effort.”

DeSantis, a longtime Republican, said he felt he was in a position to advance the Sunshine State on the heels of Gov. Rick Scott’s two-term governorship. 

DeSantis said he would officially kick off his campaign later this month. 

Though he isn’t the first Republican to declare for the position, DeSantis is so far the only other major candidate to run for the job besides Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam and former state Sen. Jack Latvala. 

Latvala’s bid, however, is widely speculated to be dead after he resigned from the Florida Senate following an investigation into claims he sexually harassed and groped at least seven women in Tallahassee. An explosive report from the Senate Special Master detailed harrowing experiences from Senate staffers who also alleged the senator exchanged votes for sex. 

At least one recent poll suggests DeSantis is in a good position to run for the job. 

A survey from Remington Research Group released earlier this week found DeSantis --besting Putnam and Florida House of Representatives Speaker Richard Corcoran (also a potential candidate) by several points.

DeSantis routes both Putnam and Corcoran in a hypothetical matchup, taking 28 percent of the vote to Putnam’s 25 percent.

Corcoran received only three percent of the Republican primary vote in the hypothetical robopoll matchup, while a significantly larger portion of voters -- 44 percent -- said they are undecided as to who they’d vote for in the GOP primary.

When the options were narrowed to two -- DeSantis and Putnam -- DeSantis once again narrowly took the lead over the state Ag Commissioner, taking 30 percent to Putnam’s 29 percent.

Democrats were quick to pounce on DeSantis on Friday, slamming him for his connections to the president.

“Ron DeSantis running as Trump's hand-picked candidate with the backing of out-of-state billionaires may endear him to the most partisan primary voters, but he is too extreme for Florida,” said former U.S. Rep. and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Gwen Graham. “While DeSantis has dedicated his time in Congress to protecting Trump from Mueller and becoming a Fox News star, we look forward to a vigorous debate on the real issues that affect Florida families most.”

 

Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.



READ MORE FROM SUNSHINE STATE NEWS

DeSantis Edges Out Putnam, Corcoran in Republican Gubernatorial Matchup

Trump Touts Possible DeSantis Bid for Governor

Comments

Another Trump idiot

Great news! Hope the Dems stick by their talking points and stop taking money from billionaire George Soros and all the political PACs that take his millions to defeat the dreams of the American people! Stop voting for Democrats that are more worried about foreign nationals than the American citizen!

Ron DeSantis is a strong enough Conservative to continue Rick Scott's outstanding tenure as Governor. Won't miss Rick too much if Ron is his successor. BTW Say Goodbye to Bill Nelson in the Senate who will be replaced by Rick Scott.

Anybody **BUT** "Nepotistic Gwen" ("The failure of the Panhandle") Graham; and Corcoran (WHO?)... "Putnam & DeSantis", an "old timey two-horse race", "WINNER TAKE ALL" ! (YEAH,..THAT'S THE 'TICKET' ! ) No fuss, no muss, no recount, crying, nor whining..... a "Duel in the Sun" !

So Gwen is upset that DeSantis is a Trump puppet, yet she is using daddy’s name to fool the electorate to think she can do it on her own. Give me a break.

Hoorah...Ron go for it...It's a easy Win...WE the People of Florida are With you....

That’s all we need. Another trump puppet trying to justify all his incompetent moves. So far it hasn’t work well for anyone who wants trump on their corner. Good luck with that.

Run Ron Run! This is gonna be fun!

Another Trump Chump...

If anyone can help Florida implement President Trump's agenda in Florida so we receive maximum benefits from that agenda, it is Ron DeSantis. These "never Trumpers" and "dim Dems" in Florida have to be insane. We stand to grow Florida like we've never seen before. How can people be against the Trump agenda? Makes no sense. If you are afraid to align with our President, you are a weak puppy and should not be in any State or Local leadership position. It is time for Florida Republican leaders to grow a backbone and stop bowing to the Democratic cartels that exist in the blue counties. Call them out and change the color of South Florida.

It’s very obvious why people don’t want to align themselves to this president. As of late everything he touch turns to shit. I’ve always thought the guy was an idiot and a moron. And when you have the people close to him saying the same thing. It just confirms what I always thought. This president is a “fucking moron” from the words of Rex Tillerson himself.

When I hear hand picked by Trump, I say no way will I ever take this candidate as worthy of my vote. Go Gwen! Florida needs sensible leadership and feel you are my Candidate of choice. Sign me up to help with your campaign. Girl Power!!!!!

Girl power? Gwen can’t do it without Pelosi money. That is how she got the Congressional seat she used as a steppingstone to this race. Gotta hand it to her—she accomplished nothing but sitting in her chair for 2 years. If you want the Pelosi agenda—go for it! For those who don’t like the President, please return the money you will be saving to IRS next year. Also remember Florida ‘s Constitution requires a balance budget. Gwen can’t offer anything new without raising your taxes, but, oh well, that’s what Democrats like to do!

Girl power? Gwen can’t do it without Pelosi money. That is how she got the Congressional seat she used as a steppingstone to this race. Gotta hand it to her—she accomplished nothing but sitting in her chair for 2 years. If you want the Pelosi agenda—go for it! For those who don’t like the President, please return the money you will be saving to IRS next year. Also remember Florida ‘s Constitution requires a balance budget. Gwen can’t offer anything new without raising your taxes, but, oh well, that’s what Democrats like to do!

lake worth florida we agree with Donald trump good luck desantis! stop slander and be peace.

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