Once considered the future of the MAGA movement, a September 20th Emerson College Poll put DeSantis’ flailing presidential campaign behind Donald Trump by 47%.
Because of this and perhaps his extreme laws targeting Blacks, LGBTQ and Migrant communities (many of which are either being challenged in court, or already struck down as unconstitutional) he is losing clout among Florida’s GOP.
Recently, the chair of Florida’s Republican Party urged executive committee members to attend all GOP candidate events — giving cover to party faithful who want to attend a dinner at Mar-a-Lago with former President Donald Trump. The state party last week rescinded a loyalty pledge that would have obligated the GOP primary candidates to endorse the eventual Republican presidential nominee, a stunning turnaround made at the behest of Trump supporters and against DeSantis’ wishes.
State Rep. Daniel Perez, the Miami Republican in line to become the next state House speaker, urged his GOP colleagues this week to move more carefully in the future, saying that “the problem with wielding the power of government like a hammer is that the people start looking like nails,” referring to DeSantis style of governance.
Perez’s words were being viewed as a warning to DeSantis. One Tallahassee lobbyist said it was a signal that the “conveyor belt” Legislature that passed whatever DeSantis wanted is coming to an end.
The question on many people’s minds is when DeSantis is forced to drop out of the presidential race, will he do so with grace or with vengeance, and who in Florida will suffer the most?
About the writer: Matthew Woodruff is an Independent Journalist and Author who believes in Freely Accessible, Honest and Open Reporting.
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