Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will soon have new authority over Disney’s iconic Florida theme parks, leeway to transport migrants from anywhere in the country and fewer hurdles to put people behind bars for voting errors – all top priorities that have animated conservatives who may decide the next Republican nominee for president.
And he amassed this power in less than a week.
DeSantis possesses a unique asset as he lays the groundwork for a potential presidential campaign: A subservient state party that is eager to hand victories to the Republican leader. The special session in Florida that ended Friday – during which his priorities sailed through the GOP-legislature in a matter of days and with minimal resistance – was a public demonstration of his total control over an ostensibly separate branch of government.
It’s a tool he is expected to wield often in the coming months as he eschews an early entrance into the race in favor of building up a record of decisive actions that could be appealing to future primary voters.
DeSantis has already laid out several legislative targets when lawmakers meet again next month, including fewer restrictions on firearms, more restrictions on abortion, weaker legal protections for the media industry and more public funding to attend private schools. With Republicans holding a super majority in both the state House and Senate, there is little expectation that DeSantis will not get his way.
DeSantis isn’t expected to jump into the race for president until after lawmakers conclude their legislative business in May – a sign of how important that agenda is to his platform for president and the narrative around his candidacy.
“Everyone is just waiting to take their cues from the governor,” one longtime Florida lobbyist said. “He is setting the agenda and it’s all red meat for 2024 voters.”
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