The fourth Republican presidential primary debate saw former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley play defense in the face of relentless attacks from Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis and tech executive Vivek Ramaswamy.
Read MoreTag: Ron DeSantis
Commentary: It’s Time to Unite Behind Trump If We Want to Win in 2024
The 2024 Presidential election is rapidly approaching. In many ways it can’t come soon enough. Americans have now spent nearly three painful years waking up every day astonished to learn that the Biden administration has outdone its previous act of insanity.
The shocking revelation, for example, that the Biden Administration is covertly flying illegals into the interior of the U.S. is quickly forgotten when new revelations emerge that the same Administration is sabotaging Texas’ efforts to secure the border—ordering federal agents to cut through the wire barriers erected by the state of Texas.
Read MoreSponsors in These 29 Florida Counties Received over 10,000 Unaccompanied Minors
In the past fiscal year, Florida received 10,542 unaccompanied children (UACs) from the border, many of whom were brought into the country illegally, according to data published by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department’s Office of Refugee Resettlement, tasked with oversight of and caring for the children.
Florida received the third greatest number behind Texas and California as it has almost every year. UAC data has been reported since fiscal 2015.
Read MoreDeSantis, Haley, and Ramaswamy Among the 2024 GOP Presidential Hopefuls with Plans to Bolster the U.S. Navy
Several 2024 Republican primary candidates laid out their plans to strengthen and increase the size of the U.S. Navy if president in statements to the Daily Caller News Foundation after the third GOP debate moderators pressed contenders on the topic.
Some Republican candidates have criticized President Joe Biden for allowing the Navy to atrophy in recent years as China’s military threat to the U.S. grows, pledging to strengthen the fleet should they become president in comments to the DCNF. The 2024 hopefuls explained how they would overcome weaknesses in the industrial base, recruiting and overall strategy to reverse the Navy’s decline.
Read MoreDeSantis Signs Trade Agreement with Great Britain
Roughly six months after visiting with British leaders in London, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced this week Florida is expanding its business partnerships with the United Kingdom.
The governor announced on Tuesday that he and the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Kemi Badenoch, MP, signed a memorandum of understanding to increase trade and bilateral investment, strengthen business ties and grow academic partnerships.
Read MoreDeSantis, Haley Bring in Big Money After Third GOP Primary Debate
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley both brought in over $1 million in the first 24 hours following the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) third GOP primary debate on Wednesday, the Daily Caller News Foundation confirmed Friday.
Haley’s fundraising haul marks the campaign’s best single day of small-dollar donations after she and DeSantis sparred over foreign policy, energy and other issues on stage in Miami, Florida, according to the former ambassador’s team. DeSantis and Haley maintain either the second- or third-place lane in most national and key early state surveys as they vie to take on former President Donald Trump, who’s leading the crowded field of GOP hopefuls by roughly 44 points.
Read MoreForeign Affairs, National Security Dominate Third GOP Debate
The third Republican primary debate in Miami, Fla., on Tuesday saw five candidates vie for support among the GOP electorate and spend much of their time addressing security and foreign affairs.
Read MoreTrump Beats DeSantis in Florida Presidential Primary: Poll
Former President Donald Trump is leading Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in their home state primary by nearly 40 points, according to a Tuesday poll.
Trump is beating DeSantis 60% to 21% among a crowded Republican primary field in Florida’s primary, according to a University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab survey. Several Republican state officials in Florida recently flipped their endorsements from DeSantis to Trump over the weekend, Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida threw his support behind the former president and the state party did away with its loyalty pledge, backed by the governor, to support the eventual nominee to participate in its primary.
Read MoreTrump: Iowa Governor Began ‘Retirement Tour Early’ amid Reports She’s Endorsing DeSantis
Former President Donald Trump slammed Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds on Sunday amid reports that she is going to endorse Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the 2024 Republican presidential primary.
Read MoreDeSantis Responds to Florida Republican Senator Endorsing Trump
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis responded Friday to Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida’s endorsement of former President Donald Trump during an interview with Fox News.
The GOP senator and previous Florida governor decided not to endorse his successor, and instead threw his support behind Trump on Thursday. DeSantis was asked directly about the endorsement, and reports that Republican state lawmakers in Florida would also soon flock to Trump, and told Fox News’ Sandra Smith that there’s still time to shore up support for his campaign before voting starts.
Read More‘It’s Coming’: Florida GOP Elected Officials to Turn on DeSantis, Endorse Trump: Report
Republican elected officials in Florida are expected to flip their endorsements from Gov. Ron DeSantis to former President Donald Trump next week, NBC News reported Wednesday.
After DeSantis received the backing of 99 state legislators, allies of the former president have orchestrated an effort in the state to switch them to Trump, two sources familiar told NBC News. As many as six of the state’s GOP elected officials will likely announce their support for Trump as early as next week after the Florida Freedom Summit Saturday and amid the third GOP presidential debate Wednesday in Miami, which the former president is skipping to hold a rally in the state.
Read MoreTrump Continues to Dominate GOP Presidential Field in Latest Des Moines Register Iowa Poll
With just two and a half months to go before the Iowa caucuses, former President Donald Trump has expanded his lead in the latest Des Moines Register/NBC/Mediacom poll.
But Trump’s lead could actually be bigger than indicated in the kickoff caucus state.
Read MoreDeSantis Admin Orders Universities Remove Pro-Palestine Student Orgs for Openly Supporting ‘Terrorism’
Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration ordered two major universities in Florida to remove Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapters from campus Wednesday, citing the organizations’ support for “terrorism.”
Multiple student organizations at elite colleges and universities signed open letters or held rallies in support of Palestinians following the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel, including the University of Florida and the University of South Florida. The chancellor of Florida’s university system, Ray Rodrigues, called on the colleges to disband SJP chapters Tuesday following their declaration of support for Palestinians, alleging they violated Florida’s antisemitism laws.
Read MoreFlorida Unemployment Rate Is Lowest Among Nation’s Most Populated States
According to the latest figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Florida has a seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate of 2.8% and ranks 14th overall, sharing a spot with Kansas and Hawaii.
Of the five largest states by population — California, Texas, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania — Florida has the lowest unemployment rate. At the same time, New York, Texas and California all sit above the national average of 3.8%.
Read MoreCommon Themes on Energy Policy Emerge Among Republican Presidential Candidates
by Kevin Killough In the past few years, America has seen high inflation rates and a faltering economy that some observers say will go into a recession. The latest conflict in the Middle East could likely pose a significant disruption in global energy supplies. Where the GOP contenders stand on energy policies…
Read MoreDeSantis Announces Plan to Expand Sanctions on Iran
Within days of Hamas attacking Israel, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state plans to increase sanctions against the Iranian regime. The new sanctions include expanding the industries on Florida’s scrutinized companies list and strengthening Florida’s position against states that sponsor terror.
DeSantis said that as the federal government has eased sanctions on Iran and funded state-sponsored terrorism by sending billions of U.S. taxpayer money to Iran and restoring hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Palestinians that was previously halted by the Trump administration, Florida is taking the opposite approach.
Read MoreTrump Leads DeSantis by 35 Points in Florida: Poll
Former President Donald Trump holds a commanding lead over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in their shared state of residence.
Trump claimed the support of 57% of Republican voters in the Sunshine State to the governor’s 22% in a recent poll from Tony Fabrizio, who surveys for a pro-Trump super PAC. Fabrizio conducted this survey for a private client, according to The Messenger.
Read MoreRon DeSantis Rakes In $15 Million During Third Fundraising Quarter
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday his campaign brought in $15 million during the third fundraising quarter, according to a press release.
DeSantis is the first 2024 GOP presidential candidate who has announced the figures ahead of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) filing deadline on Oct. 15. The governor raised just over $20 million during his first fundraising quarter as a presidential candidate, and entered this fundraising quarter with $12.2 million cash on hand.
Read MoreSecond GOP Presidential Debate Was Sloppy, At Times Chaotic, Ultimately Forgettable, Critics Say
Wednesday evening’s chaotic GOP presidential primary debate at times felt more like an episode of “Jersey Shore” than a showcase of the best and brightest minds in conservative politics.
Read MoreSecond GOP Presidential Debate Turns Into a Rhetorical Brawl as Candidates Jockey for Position in Trump-Dominated Race
In a second GOP presidential debate that often seemed more like a disorderly reality TV show, the Babylon Bee’s satirical news headline may have best captured the mood of viewers: ‘Mute Button’ Wins GOP Debate.
Read MoreGOP Presidential Candidates Prepare for Critical Second Debate Without Trump
If Wednesday’s second GOP presidential primary debate proves to be anything like the first, we’re in for a night of political punches and maybe a rhetorical gang fight or two as the candidates look to score points in another Trump-less bout.
Read MorePoll Showing Biden Leading Trump by 6 Points – if Former President Is Convicted – Has DeSantis Backers Written All Over It
A recent poll showing President Joe Biden ahead of Donald Trump in a 2024 rematch if the former president is convicted of the indictments he’s facing was conducted by the pollster working with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ super PAC.
Read MoreFlorida House Examines Implementation of ‘Responsible Fatherhood’ Law
A Florida House subcommittee met this week to discuss implementing some of the elements of a bill that passed during the 2022 session designed to promote responsible fatherhood.
House Bill 7065 was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in April of 2022 and was designed to “aid in creating and sustaining safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for children and families that allow children to grow up to their full potential,” and also focuses on responsible fatherhood.
Read MoreDeSantis’ Energy Plan: Midland over Moscow
On Wednesday, Republican presidential candidate Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his energy plan. It includes reversing all Biden administration policies to get gasoline prices at the pump back to $2 a gallon in 2025.
Gas prices and all other household goods reliant on petroleum have soared to over 40-year highs since President Biden implemented new energy policies in 2021. They include canceling the Keystone Pipeline on his first day in office, halting offshore and onshore lease sales, advancing EPA and other regulatory restrictions solely on U.S. oil and natural gas companies, halting investments in the industry by imposing environmental, social governance policies to restrict lending to U.S. oil and natural gas companies, among other policies.
Read MoreNewly Approved Florida Rules Could Cut Price of Prescription Drugs
New rules approved by officials in Florida this week are designed to increase accountability from pharmaceutical companies when it comes to drug pricing.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday that he and the Florida cabinet approved rules that will allow the implementation of provisions within Senate Bill 1550, the Prescription Drug Act.
Read MoreKinder, Gentler Iowa Cattle Call of GOP Presidential Hopefuls Sees Ramaswamy, DeSantis, Haley Generate Most Buzz
The latest cattle call of GOP presidential contestants — sans former President Donald Trump — mainly maintained Iowa nice, a departure from last month’s first fiery primary debate and a similar Christian conservative event in July hosted by conservative talk show host lightning rod Tucker Carlson.
Read MoreFlorida’s Nunez Says DeSantis Administration Delivers on Conservation Promises
Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez extolled the conservation efforts of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration at an award ceremony Friday for the Florida Python Challenge.
Nunez said that she is proud to be part of keeping Florida’s natural environment pristine.
Read MoreQuinnipiac Poll: Trump Holds 50-Point Lead over GOP Field
The latest poll for the 2024 presidential election shows former President Donald Trump with one of his most commanding leads yet over the rest of the GOP primary field, and a statistical tie with Joe Biden for the general election.
As CNBC reports, the poll from Quinnipiac University reveals that 62% of Republican primary voters support Trump. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) is in a distant second place with just 12%, the only other candidate to score double digits. Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy (R-Ohio) is in third with 6%, while former Vice President Mike Pence (R-Ind.) and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley (R-S.C.) are tied with 5% each. South Carolina Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has just 3% support, and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R-N.J.) rounds out the primary field with 2%.
Read MoreFlorida First State to Officially Recommend Against COVID-19 Boosters
Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo said Wednesday that the Sunshine State will be the first state to officially recommend against COVID-19 boosters for those under age 65.
The state, in its guidance, discourages use of the booster for those under age 65 because the new U.S. Food and Drug Administration boosters lack a human clinical trial and evidence of their efficiency or benefits.
Read MoreCampaigning Against Kamala: With Biden’s Future a Question Mark, Republican Candidates Raise Red Flags About His No. 2
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis\’ campaign blasted out a warning email on Friday, reminding Iowa voters what so many across the country fear: Vice President Kamala Harris could one day be in charge.
Read MoreFlorida School Board Rejects ‘LGBTQ History Month’ Proposal Again
Miami Dade County school board members rejected a proposal Thursday that would have recognized October as “LGBTQ history month,” according to Politico.
Miami-Dade County school board members acknowledged LGBTQ History Month in 2021 but did not do so in 2022 after the school board was realigned ideologically with members endorsed by Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to Politico. School board members voted against the measure 5-3 following hours of public comment and debate on the issue.
Read MoreRamaswamy Blasts DeSantis ‘Monster PAC’ Following Report of Fake News Dirty Politics
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is blasting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and “Monster PAC” following a report exposing the political action committee\’s campaign in “spreading dirt” and “misstatements” about the poll-rising Ramaswamy.
Read MoreDeSantis’ Never Back Down PAC Suspends Door-Knocking in Four States to Focus on Early Primary States
The pro-DeSantis Never Back Down super PAC is reportedly suspending its voter canvassing in four states to focus resources in early-voting states.
The PAC supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ 2024 presidential campaign is pausing its door-knocking activities in Nevada, California, Texas and North Carolina, according to The Epoch Times on Saturday.
Read MoreTrump Expands Primary Lead as Former President Becomes Top Choice for Nearly 60 Percent of GOP Voters: Poll
Former President Donald Trump is expanding his lead in Republican presidential primary polls as nearly 60 percent of GOP voters say they would vote for the former president even after his four criminal indictments, according to a new poll.
Trump is now at least 46 points ahead of all other GOP primary candidates, according to a Wall Street Journal poll released Saturday. While 59 percent of GOP voters say they would support Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis comes in second with 13 percent.
Read MoreDeSantis Turns Down Millions in Incentives from Biden’s Signature Climate Bill
Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has effectively rejected nearly $350 million dollars from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) designated for use in Florida, according to Politico.
The IRA, President Joe Biden’s signature climate spending bill, sets aside money for rebates for consumers to buy more efficient appliances that the Biden administration is pushing and to help low-income individuals buy solar panels for their homes, according to Politico. DeSantis and the Florida legislature have effectively refused $3 million set aside for cleaning up pollution, $5 million in federal funds to set up the appliance rebates program and $341 million to actually fund that program.
Read MoreGOP Presidential Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy Rides Debate Momentum to Second Place in New Poll
Ohio biotech entrepreneur and GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has overtaken Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for second place in the Republican Party nomination chase, surging several points since last week’s debate, according to internal polling.
Read MoreGOP Presidential Candidates Attempt to Seize on Any Momentum They Garnered in First Debate
Every candidate declared victory after Wednesday night’s first Republican presidential debate — even some who didn’t take the stage.
But what’s next for these self-proclaimed winners on the road to the Republican Party nomination?
Read MoreDon Jr. Says Christie’s Expected Attacks on Trump at Debate Will Do Him Little Good in Republican Presidential Race
As expected, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie took some big swings at GOP presidential front-runner and former president Donald Trump Wednesday night at the first debate of the 2024 primary season.
Read MoreFlorida’s Two School Choice Scholarship Programs Break Participation Record
The state of Florida says a record number of students are either participating or have applied to the state’s two school choice scholarship programs.
In a news release, Gov. Ron DeSantis stated that almost 430,000 scholarship applications had been received for the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and the Family Empowerment Scholarship programs.
Read MoreDespite Trump’s Absence, Plenty of Fireworks at First Republican Presidential Debate of the 2024 Season
For those who thought a Trump-less GOP presidential primary debate was doomed to be a snooze fest, the two-hour political bar brawl disabused them of that notion.
Read MoreWhat to Watch for in Wednesday’s Republican Presidential Primary Debate
The opening debate of the 2024 presidential primary season won’t have Donald Trump, but it won’t be lacking memorable moments.
Read MoreTrump Up 39 Points in New Hampshire: Poll
Former President Donald Trump holds a commanding lead in the battle for a pivotal primary state that could help him stave off the multitude of Republicans seeking to claim the party nomination.
Trump took 49.7% support among New Hampshire likely GOP primary voters in the latest Trafalgar poll. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed second place with 10.7% while tech mogul Vivek Ramaswamy came in a close third with 10.4%. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie took 9.1%, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott took 7.8%, while former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley took 3.1%.
Read MoreVivek Ramaswamy Ties for Second Place with Ron DeSantis in New GOP Primary Poll
A new poll of U.S. voters from Emerson College Polling this week showed Vivek Ramaswamy and Ron DeSantis tied for second place with 10 percent of the national vote in the 2024 GOP presidential primary race.
Read MoreDeSantis’ Travel, Security Cost Florida Taxpayers $8 Million over Past Year amid Presidential Bid
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ travel and security costs have cost state taxpayers over $8 million to Florida taxpayers over the past year as he tours the United States for his campaign to win the 2024 Republican nomination for president.
Over the 2022-2023 fiscal year, which in Florida is from July 1 to June 30 of the following, DeSantis’ travel and security expenses cost $8,073,607, according to data from the state Department of Law Enforcement cited by The Miami Herald in an article Wednesday.
Read MoreRamaswamy Tops DeSantis in Latest Scott Rasmussen Poll, Trump Expands Frontrunner Position
Ohio entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has overtaken Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in another national Republican primary poll.
Read MoreCommentary: Keeping Trump Off the Ballot in 2024 Will Hurt the GOP
Now there are four separate trials against former President Donald Trump, the latest in Fulton County, Ga., arising from Trump challenging the results of the 2020 election, coming atop trials in New York City over supposed federal campaign finance violations, Miami, Fla. over his receipt of classified documents while he was president and retention when he left office and Washington, D.C. again over his challenge of the 2020 election.
Read MoreCampaign Trail Roundup: GOP Presidential Candidates Make Pitches at Iowa State Fair, DeSantis Booed at Iowa Racetrack
What a wild weekend in Iowa.
The presidential candidates who turned out for the Iowa State Fair came close to outnumbering the selections of food on a stick at the Iowa State Fair.
Read MoreNew College of Florida Trustees Move to Abolish Gender Studies Program
The New College of Florida (NCF) board of trustees voted Thursday to direct the administration of the institution to abolish its gender studies program, according to Chris Rufo, a member of the board.
In January, Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed six new conservative members to the NCF board of trustees in an effort to overhaul the ideological education system. Since being appointed, the board has voted to eliminate the college’s diversity, equity and inclusion office (DEI) and ban the use of diversity statements.
Read MoreDeSantis Suspends Florida State Attorney for Abuse of Prosecutorial Discretion
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended a prosecutor on Wednesday for not doing enough to prosecute crimes in her district.
In an executive order issued Wednesday, DeSantis suspended State Attorney Monique Worrell of the 9th Judicial Circuit, which covers Orange and Osceola counties, and replaced her with Andrew Bain, who served as a judge in Orange County.
Read MoreDeSantis Launches Major Shakeup, Replaces Presidential Campaign Manager amid Low Polling
In a major shakeup weeks in the making, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign announced Tuesday it had replaced its campaign manager amid low polling in the 2024 GOP primary.
DeSantis’ gubernatorial chief of staff James Uthmeier replaced campaign manager Generra Peck, DeSantis’ team confirmed to The Hill.
Read More