Following former President Donald Trump officially launching his 2024 presidential campaign, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday didn’t acknowledge Trump’s big announcement last night.
And former President Trump didn’t mention DeSantis’ name during his speech at Mar-a-Lago Tuesday evening.
Asked by a reporter Wednesday “about a civil war brewing between” the two high-profile men in Florida, DeSantis deflected the question about 2024 presidential bids.
Instead, DeSantis said he’s focused on the upcoming Georgia runoff election on Dec. 6 between Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker.
“We just finished this election, okay,” DeSantis told the crowd in Lee County. “People just need to chill out a little bit on some of this stuff, I mean seriously. We just ran an election. We have this Georgia runoff coming which is very important for Republicans to win that Georgia runoff.”
DeSantis added: “I know around the country, Florida was kind of the biggest bright spot, it was not so bright in many other parts of the country. It was a substandard performance given the dynamics that are at play. So hopefully we will be able to do that. But I think what people like me, who have been given the opportunity to continue, is okay, uh, let’s do something with that.”
Although many Republicans were elected to the Florida Legislature and other positions in Congress, Democrats won enough elections to hold control of the U.S. Senate. The Republicans in Congress are expected to take control of the U.S. House soon, in a slim margin.
Meanwhile, new Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo of Collier County touted DeSantis’ response to the aftermath of Hurricane Ian during Wednesday’s press event.
The press conference was originally about awarding funds for Hurricane Ian recovery efforts in Southwest Florida. In addition, state officials also announced about $7.7 million for workforce education programs at state colleges.
“Thank you all particularly, all of you who have done so much for Southwest Florida this last month and a half,” said Passidomo, a Republican. “You all are on the frontlines; you all are the people that are gonna help us rebuild.”
“I live in Southwest Florida, and for our governor to be here so often, and to really care about how you all are coming back, is just a wonderful thing and I wanna thank you governor for doing that for us. And you said to me that you are going to keep on coming,” she added.
–Isaac Morgan, Florida Phoenix
BigPapa says
DeSantaClaus 2024!!!, the gift that keeps giving.
Beach Cat says
De will run for president in ’24. He might consider studying up on communication skills, ending the slang and poor language he believes will appeal to some. He might wish to learn how to appear on camera so as not to seem to appear as a deer in headlights. Wonder if he’ll continue wearing the Nancy Sinatra boots. Bless his heart. He is not ready for big time politics. His cruel, inhumane acts, his bent on emulating Abbott and Trump, the racism he exhibits, the firing of elected officials, his merciless act of not approving Medicaid expansion, the openly callous unconcern for Florida’s water quality and so much more. Obviously, Florida voters are unconcerned about the appalling character flaws of Governor Ron DeSantis.
Laurel says
Passidomo is either a sucker or an ass kisser, or both. That hurricane was the best thing to happen to DeSantis’ campaign.
The good: Watching DeSantis and Trump get into it.
The bad: Having to watch those ridiculous, in your face, Trump and DeSantis flags on the backs of pickup trucks and boats for the next two years. Ugh! Give it a rest, people. It looks silly.
DeSantis is the same cult with another face. Poor Florida, the embarrassment of the United States.
Harry says
Mini t-rump !!!!
jake says
Nothing like a good ole Trump-DeSantis article to trigger you haters. Trump will never be elected President again, however DeSantis will be President one day.