Global Courant 2023-04-26 18:32:41
Florida lawmakers are poised to clear the way for Governor Ron DeSantis to announce a 2024 presidential campaign without stepping down as governor.
Republicans in the Florida Senate are expected to add the provision to an existing election bill that will pass before the end of the session. While opinions differ on whether Florida law really requires a governor to step down to become president, lawmakers in the state are simply trying to weed out any question.
“If there’s ambiguity, and it’s been talked about — especially ad nauseam since November, if not longer — let’s do it, let’s clarify,” Republican state senator Danny Burgess told Politico. “In that way, if we’re lucky enough to ever have a president or vice president from Florida, we’ve cleared that air.”
DeSantis is widely expected to contest the 2024 primary in the coming weeks, where he will run against former President Trump and others. DeSantis is widely seen as Trump’s most credible challenger in the primary, though the former president maintains a significant lead in polls.
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to become president in 2024, and the Florida legislature wants to let him do so without stepping down as governor. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
If Florida Governor Ron DeSantis enters the race, he will face former President Trump, who currently has a significant lead in polls. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
DeSantis’ office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
If implemented, the change would be a blow to Trump’s campaign, who had previously criticized DeSantis and suggested that even his current travels are campaigning.
“Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is currently on a Florida taxpayer-funded, taxpayer-funded one-month presidential campaign schedule, and new questions are arising whether this will force DeSantis to resign,” the Trump campaign wrote in an email. to supporters earlier in April.
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Florida Democrats have leveled similar criticism at DeSantis, arguing that his recent trip to Japan and his other travels across the US show that he has failed the Floridians.
“This is just the latest example of Florida Republicans empowering DeSantis to pursue his national ambitions while failing Floridians on the issues that matter most to them,” Nikki Fried, president of the Democratic National Assembly, said. Florida Party, to Politico.
President Biden announced his re-election campaign earlier this week, just days before Florida is expected to clear the way for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
President Biden announced his own re-election campaign earlier this week, ending speculation that his age could see him pass the torch after one term. Biden, 80, is the oldest person ever to run for president, followed by Trump, 76. DeSantis, meanwhile, is 44.
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter at Fox News Digital covering national politics and major news events. Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.
