Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Archives - The Florida Capital Star

‘Truly Unprecedented:’ Donald Trump Is Dominating the Early Primary Season Like Nothing in Modern History

July 10, 2023 Florida Capital Star Staff

Former President Donald Trump continues to dominate the early primary season in an unprecedented third bid for the White House, polling experts told the Daily Caller News Foundation.

This Republican primary cycle is like none other as the frontrunner is a former president, has a massive lead in the polls, his former vice president is running against him and Trump has two federal indictments under his belt. Polling analysts stressed to the DCNF the stark difference between this GOP primary season and previous cycles, arguing that it’s difficult to draw comparisons in modern history.

DeSantis, Moody Respond to FBI Raid at Mar-a-Lago

August 10, 2022August 9, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) have been vocal since the FBI launched a raid at the home of former President Donald Trump (R) Monday morning. They both derided the partisan nature of the raid.

Andrew Warren, Democrats Respond to Suspension

August 9, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Last week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) suspended State Attorney Andrew Warren of the 13th Judicial Circuit due to neglect of duty. Warren said he would not prosecute doctors and nurses who perform abortions after 15 weeks, which is a violation of state law. In response, Warren has said he will enter into a legal challenge against the state and DeSantis’ order.

Andrew Warren, Democrats Respond to Suspension

August 9, 2022August 9, 2022 Grant Holcomb

DeSantis Announces Suspension of Soros-Backed State Attorney

August 5, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Yesterday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced the suspension of State Attorney Andrew Warren of the 13th Judicial Circuit due to neglect of duty. Warren vowed that he would not prosecute doctors and nurses involved in performing abortions after 15 weeks, which has been banned by Florida law.

DeSantis Announces Suspension of Soros-Backed State Attorney

August 5, 2022August 4, 2022 Grant Holcomb

DeSantis Announces New Pilot Program Trying to ‘Disrupt the Opioid Epidemic’

August 4, 2022August 3, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Yesterday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced a new pilot program to assist Floridians with substance abuse which establishes a recovery network “to disrupt the opioid epidemic.” DeSantis was joined by multiple Florida health officials as the programs will be under the purview of a joint-agency effort with the Florida Department of Health, Department of Children and Families, and the Agency for Health Care Administration.

The program is not an exclusively emergency response program, but also contains numerous aspects of recovery and goes by the acronym CORE (Coordinated Opioid Recovery).

DeSantis Announces New Pilot Program Trying to ‘Disrupt the Opioid Epidemic’

August 4, 2022 Grant Holcomb

The program is not an exclusively emergency response program, but also contains numerous aspects of recovery and goes by the acronym CORE (Coordinated Opioid Recovery).

Nikki Fried Launches First TV Ad

August 3, 2022August 2, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) launched her first television ad as she seeks the nomination for Florida’s Democrat primary. She launched the ad with the moniker “Something New,” harkening back to a phrase she has commonly used on the campaign trail and when she launched her campaign over a year ago.

Nikki Fried Launches First TV Ad

August 3, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Calls DeSantis ‘Creepy’

August 2, 2022August 9, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D), who is running for governor in 2022 in the Democrat primary, called Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and his fellow Florida Republicans “creepy” for opposing sexual content being taught in Florida’s public schools.

Florida Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Calls DeSantis ‘Creepy’

August 2, 2022 Grant Holcomb

DeSantis Launches Initiative to Fight ESG Scores

July 30, 2022July 29, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced a new initiative to fight environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) scores that America’s largest corporations and companies are adopting this week. ESG scores were originally developed as part of the United Nations Environment Programme Initiative as part of the Freshfield Report in 2005.

DeSantis Denounces Cuban Government’s Deceitful Investment Practices

July 28, 2022July 27, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) denounced the Cuban government’s deceitful investment practices. The Castro regime has been incentivizing American investors to invest in Cuba’s “private sector,” but the DeSantis administration warned that they’re not actually assisting the Cuban people, but rather lining the coffers of the Castro dictatorship.

DeSantis Touts Accomplishments at Turning Point USA Event

July 26, 2022July 26, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) touted his accomplishments while speaking in Tampa at a Turning Point USA Student Action Summit. He discussed how the country is better off because Florida led the way in combatting COVID lockdown policies.

Ron DeSantis Comes Out Against Chinese Buying Land in Florida

July 26, 2022July 26, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Last Friday night on Fox News’ Ingraham Angle, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called out China for buying up large tracts of property around the country, particularly in Florida.

Transgender Treatments Not Covered Under Florida Medicaid

July 21, 2022July 20, 2022 Grant Holcomb

The State of Florida has moved forward with a new policy that would deny Medicaid coverage for transgender treatments including puberty-blockers and hormone therapy. The Florida Department of Health prefaced the likely rule in April, but now the new policy stems from the Agency for Health Care Administration. “Following a…

DeSantis Announces Civics Academy

July 20, 2022July 19, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) announced Monday that $6.5 million was being designated to launch the Career Pathways for Public Service Initiative. The new program will prepare students for public service and a career in local or state government.

DeSantis Touts Conservative Track Record at Moms for Liberty Event

July 19, 2022July 18, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Late last week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) spoke at an event in Tampa for the Florida-based Moms for Liberty organization. The group was founded with the intention of empowering “parents to stand up and reclaim their parental rights at all levels of government.”

DeSantis touting his conservative track record and the legislation he has worked on to enhance parental involvement during his last few legislative sessions as governor.

Democrat Attorney General Candidate Meets Florida’s State Matching Threshold

July 12, 2022July 12, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Attorney General Democrat candidate Daniel Uhlfelder announced on Twitter that his campaign reached the threshold to achieve matching state funds. Uhlfelder was also the notable individual who patrolled Florida’s beaches dressed as the Grim Reaper protesting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).

Florida State Senator Lofts Abortion Protection by Constitutional Amendment

July 12, 2022July 12, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida State Sen. Jason Pizzo (D-Miami) floated the idea of protected abortion access by way of Florida’s constitutional amendment process. His tweet comes in the wake of the overturning of the landmark Roe v. Wade case last month by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) in the Dobbs v. Jackson ruling.

The ruling from SCOTUS did not institute a federal ban, but allowed individual states to determine their own stance on abortion access.

DeSantis Vetoes Bill Presuming 50-50 Custody in Divorce Cases

July 7, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), in the last couple of weeks, vetoed a piece of legislation that would have presumed 50-50 custody sharing of children from divorced families. SB 1796 was called the Dissolution of Marriage bill and would have ended permanent alimony payments.

DeSantis vetoed the bill because of a constitutional issue.

Florida Progressives Abstain from Endorsing in Democrat Primary

June 28, 2022June 28, 2022 Grant Holcomb

The Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida has opted to not offer their endorsement for the 2022 Democrat gubernatorial primary. The two most likely candidates to achieve the party nomination are Congressman Charlie Crist (D-FL-13) and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D).

The caucus said that they both feel the two candidates are better options than incumbent Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), but they maintained that the two Democrat candidates did not model a progressive candidate quite close enough.

DeSantis Awards Nearly $30 Million for Florida Communities

June 23, 2022June 22, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) awarded more than $28.4 million in funding for economic growth and infrastructure to 23 Florida communities on Tuesday. The funding came through primarily two state grant funds that are designed to assist communities with development and disaster preparation.

DeSantis Won’t Order COVID Shots for Children

June 17, 2022June 16, 2022 Grant Holcomb

On Wednesday, reports came out that the State of Florida would be the only state in the country to not pre-order COVID shots for children five and under. Yesterday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis confirmed that Florida would not be recommending COVID shots for Florida’s youngest residents.

Al Lawson Files to Run for Florida’s Second Congressional District After Redistricting Fight

June 15, 2022June 15, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Congressman Al Lawson (D-FL-5) has filed to run in Florida’s second congressional district against incumbent Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL-2). Lawson currently holds the seat for district five, but the months-long congressional redistricting fight to preserve the boundaries of district five was secured in favor of the new maps earlier this month. Therefore, Lawson is seeking to unseat Dunn.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has backed the redistricting process including proposing the boundary changes for district five, claiming that it was an unconstitutional, racial-based gerrymander. District five, as of right now, snakes from Tallahassee across North Florida to Jacksonville’s northside. It comprises a majority minority district.

Florida Chamber of Commerce Releases Legislative Report Card

June 14, 2022June 13, 2022 Grant Holcomb

The Florida Chamber of Commerce, one of Florida’s largest trade associations, released their annual Legislative Report Card and also announced their Distinguished Advocates for the 2022 Legislative Session. The chamber describes itself as an organization that supports free enterprise policies and has historically backed Republicans over Democrats.

The chamber said that their calculated average grade for all of Florida’s lawmakers was a 68 percent, equating to a “D.”

Florida Conservatives Fear Censorship over Radio Station Buyout

June 10, 2022June 9, 2022 Grant Holcomb

A new group backed by Democrats and leftist initiative funder George Soros has purchased a historically conservative Spanish language radio station in South Florida as part of an 18-station buyout. The station being bought out is Miami’s Radio Mambí.

The buyout is being headed up by Jess Morales Rocketto, a former Hillary for America and AFL-CIO employee, and Stephanie Valencia, a former White House staffer during the Obama administration.

DeSantis Signs School Safety Bill

June 8, 2022June 8, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) signed a school safety bill Tuesday that the Florida Legislature passed during its Special Legislative Session. The bill is built off of the recommendations of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission designed to make schools safer and offer resources to students and school employees.

DeSantis signed the bill on the heels of the Florida Freedom First budget where over $140 million was designated for mental health and approximately $210 million for school safety.

DeSantis Restores Funding for Rogue School Districts

June 7, 2022June 6, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) restored the standard amount of funding for 12 school districts who defied state law and imposed mask mandates during the last school year. The districts were previously ineligible for approximately $200 million across all 12 districts.

Florida Democrat Lawmakers Seeking to Expand Red Flag Law

June 1, 2022May 31, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida’s Democrat lawmakers are pushing gun control legislation through the Florida legislature. Specifically, they are seeking to expand Florida’s red flag law that currently allows law enforcement officers to seek a court order to confiscate a person’s firearms if they court decides that person is a threat to themselves or others.

Florida Officials React to Texas School Shooting

May 27, 2022May 26, 2022 Grant Holcomb

In the wake of the tragic shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Tex. earlier this week, Florida politicians are reacting to the tragedy and offering their solutions to the issue of school shootings. Markedly, Florida’s Democrat and Republican politicians had very different approaches to solving the crisis.

Florida Republicans Won’t Rule Out Complete Abortion Ban

May 26, 2022May 25, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida’s Republican lawmakers have not ruled out the possibility of a total and complete abortion ban if the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) overturns the landmark Roe v. Wade case and abortion law is returned back to the states.

In a report covered by POLITICO, Republican leaders have not indicated their outright support for such legislation, but they said they will follow the lead of the Republican Party as the legislature proceeds.

DeSantis Won’t Support World Health Organization Pandemic Treaty

May 25, 2022May 24, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) announced this week there is “no way” he would be supporting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global pandemic treaty. The treaty began making waves online after news began to spread of the WHO’s annual meeting that started on Monday. The WHO is currently considering amendments from President Joe Biden’s administration to authorize the WHO to have control over when an international health emergency is declared, essentially nullifying American sovereignty over health crises.

DeSantis Cracks Down on Illegal Drug Traffickers

May 24, 2022May 23, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Last week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed HB 95 which cracks down on the penalties for the sale and distribution of opioids in Florida, which includes fentanyl. The signing comes as DeSantis has worked with the Florida Legislature to pass numerous pieces of legislation to fight the influx of illegal immigrants, and often times, illegal drug traffickers into Florida.

In the announcement, DeSantis swiped at the President Joe Biden (D) administration for their lack of action regarding the influx of illegal immigrants on the southern border.

DeSantis Approves Numerous Budget Items

May 20, 2022May 19, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), this week, approved millions of dollars that were debated during the 2022 Legislative Session’s budget conferences. One of the largest recipients of state dollars is cancer research who will be receiving $100 million.

At a press conference on Wednesday, DeSantis made the announcement alongside his wife, First Lady Casey DeSantis, who battled breast cancer.

Biden Reverses Course on Cuba Policy, Florida Officials Condemn

May 19, 2022May 18, 2022 Grant Holcomb

President Joe Biden (D) announced this week the United States will be loosening restrictions on Marxist countries, namely Cuba and Venezuela. Travel restrictions will be lightened to Cuba and flights will be authorized to Cuban cities outside of Havana and travel will be permitted for educational purposes.

In reaction, Florida Republicans and Democrats have condemned the actions saying that going soft on the dictatorial regimes will only embolden Castro and Maduro.

Judge Lifts Stay in Florida Congressional Redistricting Case

May 18, 2022May 17, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Judge Layne Smith lifted a stay on an injunction against his ruling related to Florida’s congressional redistricting case. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and the State of Florida appealed Smith’s original ruling that said the proposed and passed congressional redistricting maps were unconstitutional.

Florida Judge Set to Block DeSantis’ Congressional Maps

May 13, 2022May 12, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Congressional maps proposed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and pushed through the Florida Legislature during the 2022 Special Session are set to be blocked by a Florida judge. Leon County Circuit Judge Layne Smith said he would make the order official either Thursday or Friday.

Smith said he would order the construction of new maps since, he said, the DeSantis-proposed maps were discriminatory against black voters in Congressional District 5, in North Florida.

DeSantis Sets Fundraising Record

May 12, 2022May 11, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) set a new 2022 gubernatorial campaign fundraising record. During April, DeSantis raised approximately $10.5 million. Around $2.3 million was raised by his reelection campaign and $8.2 million was raised by DeSantis’ political committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis.

In total, DeSantis has raised over $113 million for the election cycle, which is over 10 times the amount of his next closest competitor, Congressman Charlie Crist (D-FL-13).

State of Florida Attorneys Respond to Redistricting Lawsuit

May 11, 2022May 10, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Attorneys representing the State of Florida, particularly Secretary of State Laurel Lee, issued an 18-page document consisting of their arguments against the groups filing suit. Leon County Circuit Judge Layne Smith is scheduled to hear a request for a temporary injunction to block the maps from proceeding.

Much of the focus of the redistricting process has been centered around District 5 currently held by Congressman Al Lawson (D-FL-5). Civil rights groups and Lawson have said that the new map backed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is “infected by racial discrimination” for eliminating a historic minority majority voting district.

Charlie Crist Rakes In $1 Million for April, DeSantis Polls Well in North Carolina

May 10, 2022May 9, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida’s two likely gubernatorial candidates have had successful months in preparation for the 2022 election. Congressman Charlie Crist (D-FL-13) pulled in another $1 million during the month of April and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) finished second in a hypothetical GOP presidential poll in North Carolina.

Crist issued a press release and indicated the million-dollar month was from contributions from both his campaign and his Friends of Charlie Crist political committee. It is unclear how much money is coming from each entity. However, individual donors who give less than $50 consist of approximately 44,000 of the contributions and the large donations are funneled through the political committee.

Abortions Are Down in Florida

May 6, 2022May 5, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Recent data from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) shows abortions numbers are down in Florida from year-to-year. Records indicate there have been just over 16,500 abortions so far in 2022, and if the trend continues, would be a 38 percent decrease from 2021.

During 2021, there were 79,811 abortions, which was a 6.6 percent increase from 2020. The data also showed that the overwhelming majority of abortions performed were elective which backs up other data points from across the country.

Florida Officials React to SCOTUS Leak

May 5, 2022May 4, 2022 Grant Holcomb

In the wake of the national news that an initial draft of a United States Supreme Court decision had been leaked to the public indicating the high court’s intentions to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade case, Florida officials have both been chanting and jeering the news. Florida’s anti-abortion politicians have said this could be a good indicator, while pro-abortionists are worried this will lead to more restrictive abortion laws.

Democrat Officials Think DeSantis Might Be ‘Unstoppable’

May 4, 2022May 3, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Democrat operatives are continually showing signs that they feel they cannot win in Florida in the 2022 gubernatorial election observing that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis seems “unstoppable.” A recent report from Politico showed that Democrats in Florida and Washington, D.C. are not feeling confident, the latter determining how many resources will be sent to the Sunshine State to attempt to unseat Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).

DeSantis Hints at Special Session for Constitutional Carry

May 3, 2022May 2, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), once again, made a plea for the Florida Legislature to get a constitutional carry bill to his desk. He made the promise to get the policy push done by the time he is no longer governor and even floated the idea of a special session to get it done.

Florida Democrat Gubernatorial Candidate Charlie Crist Says Biden Will Go Down as ‘One of the Best’

May 1, 2022April 30, 2022 Grant Holcomb

In a question-and-answer article with the Tallahassee Democrat, Florida Congressman Charlie Crist (D-FL-13) said President Joe Biden (D) will go down as “one of the best [presidents] we’ve ever had.” His comments come as he has become the Democrat frontrunner for the 2022 Florida Democrat gubernatorial primary.

DeSantis Teases Additional Legislation Regarding Disney’s Tax Status

April 30, 2022April 29, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) was a featured guest on Fox News’ Ingraham Angle hosted by Laura Ingraham and said his administration is working on additional legislation to address Disney’s tax status after the Florida Legislature repealed the 1960s-era law that established the Reedy Creek Improvement District.

The district allowed Disney to operate relatively autonomously with the ability to tax at its own rate, provide its own police, and supervise its own utilities. Florida Republicans have indicated that the repeal of the improvement district was long overdue.

DeSantis Calls Out So-Called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Moniker and Migrating Californians Staining Red States Blue

April 28, 2022April 28, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) was a featured guest with conservative commentator Ben Shapiro and participated in a Q&A segment. In it, DeSantis tells some of the back story behind the recently signed Parental Rights in Education bill as well as deriding Californians for their main export being ideology.

DeSantis specifically pointed out the number of California companies who are moving to states like Texas and Florida and who are bringing their employees with them.

DeSantis Signs Election Integrity Bill

April 27, 2022April 26, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill earlier Monday related to election integrity. The Florida Legislature prioritized the legislation in order to ensure Florida’s elections process is safe and secure.

DeSantis signed SB 524, which creates an Office of Election Crimes and Security within the Florida Department of State and will “investigate election law violations and increasing penalties for violations of election laws.”