DGA Statement on DeSantis Announcement

Tampa Bay Times: ‘Brutal Primary’ Ahead

The DGA released the following statement regarding Congressman Ron DeSantis’ announced candidacy in Florida’s gubernatorial race:

“Ron DeSantis is President Trump’s hand-picked candidate in the Florida governor’s race,” said DGA Communications Director Jared Leopold. “DeSantis was a strong supporter of Trump’s disastrous health care and tax policies in Congress, and now he wants to bring the president’s agenda to Florida. His announcement accelerates this brutal and expensive Republican primary race to appeal to the far-right fringe.

“Florida voters will soon see that the Republican field is nothing more than Trump imitation contest. Ron DeSantis, Richard Corcoran and Adam Putnam will put Donald Trump’s agenda first, and will not stand up for Floridians. Florida deserves better than these far-right Trump wannabes.”

 ###

Background: 

Tampa Bay Times:“The Republican Primary Could Get Very Nasty Very Quickly.” According to the Tampa Bay Times, “The Republican primary could get very nasty very quickly. Latvala has never been one to back down from a fight. He and Corcoran intensely dislike each other and Latvala has already taken swipes at Putnam on Twitter.” [Tampa Bay Times, 8/11/17]

“In What’s Sure to Be a Brutal Primary, Putnam’s Rivals Will Try to Define Him Before He Can Do It Himself.” According to the Tampa Bay Times, “Putnam won two statewide elections but they were for the most obscure Cabinet post. In what’s sure to be a brutal primary, Putnam’s rivals will try to define him before he can do it himself, using those votes in Congress. ‘His opponents are thinking, ‘We will define who Adam used to be before he has the opportunity to,’ said a veteran Florida political strategist, J.M. (Mac) Stipanovich, a harsh critic of Trump who says Putnam is ‘pandering’ to supporters of the president. ‘Every election cycle is different, but they are clearly fighting the last war — 2016. It’s dispiriting,’ Stipanovich said.” [Tampa Bay Times, 8/11/17] 

Palm Beach Post Headline: ‘Looks like Ron DeSantis will go Full Trump in Florida governor bid.’ [Palm Beach Post, 12/9/17]

Sunshine State News: DeSantis is “President Donald Trump’s Hand-Pick” for Governor. According to Sunshine State News, “With a new year comes a new poll suggesting Florida Congressman (and President Donald Trump’s hand-pick) Ron DeSantis has a slight edge over his possible Republican gubernatorial opponents.” [Sunshine State News, 1/2/18] 

In December 2017, Trump Tweeted DeSantis “Would Make a GREAT Governor of Florida.” According to a tweet from @realdonaldtrump, “Congressman Ron DeSantis is a brilliant young leader, Yale and then Harvard Law, who would make a GREAT Governor of Florida. He loves our Country and is a true FIGHTER!” [Twitter, @realdonaldtrump, 12/22/17] 

DeSantis Voted in Favor of the American Health Care Act. According to the Orlando Sentinel, “U.S. Reps. Ron DeSantis, R-Ponte Vedra Beach, Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, and Dan Webster, R-Clermont, voted in favor of the American Health Care Act.” [Orlando Sentinel, 5/4/17] 

DeSantis Voted for the GOP Tax Bill. According to the House Clerk, DeSantis voted “Aye” on agreeing to H. Res. 667, “Providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 1) the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3312) the Systemic Risk Designation Improvement Act; waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII; and motions to suspend the rules.” H. Res. 667 passed the House 233-193. [US House of Representatives, H. Res. 667, Vote #689, 12/19/17]

Maxwell Column: Trump’s DeSantis Endorsement “Dumped Twitter Droppings All Over the Gubernatorial Ambitions of Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam.” According to an Orlando Sentinel column by Scott Maxwell, “With a few strokes of his ALL-CAP keys, Trump essentially dumped Twitter droppings all over the gubernatorial ambitions of Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. One day, those two guys were viewed as Republican front-runners. The next, Republicans all over America — including some with very deep pockets — were backing DeSantis. A Politico headline told the story: ‘Billionaire kingmakers swarm Florida governor’s race after Trump endorsement.’ How fortunes change.” [Orlando Sentinel, Scott Maxwell column, 1/3/18]