Global Courant 2023-04-29 19:53:58
The Florida legislature on Friday gave final approval to a bill that would allow state officials to run in presidential elections without leaving their current positions.
The bill passed party lines in the state House by a final vote of 76 to 34 and now moves to the governor’s office for final approval.
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The Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee. (myflorida.com)
Democrats in the state have criticized the measure, which is wrapped up in a larger election bill, as an accommodation for Governor Ron DeSantis — the governor is expected to eventually run in the 2024 Republican primary.
“(DeSantis) has to step down to be president, period. Last I checked, being governor is a full-time job. The presidency takes a lot of work,” Democratic Representative Angela Nixon said Friday. .
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a courtesy call at his official residence in Tokyo, April 24, 2023. (KIMIMASA MAYAMA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
She added, “If anyone wants to be president, let him. But don’t let the governor hold our state or hold Floridians hostage because of blind and drunken political ambition.”
Republicans have pushed back on this characterization, saying the change is just a clarification and not intended for any particular politician.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis waves as he arrives at a conference titled “Celebrate the Faces of Israel” at the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem on April 27, 2023. (AP/Maya Alleruzzo)
“It’s an individual office that’s unique. It’s the president of our country,” Republican Rep. Ralph Massullo said Friday. “This isn’t just for our governor, it’s for everyone in politics.”
DeSantis, who has not yet announced a 2024 presidential campaign, is expected to sign the measure into law.
President Joe Biden answers questions from children at an event to mark Take Your Child To Work Day, April 27, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/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.
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Biden, 80, is the oldest person ever to run for president, followed by Trump, 76. DeSantis, meanwhile, is 44.
Anders Hagstrom of Fox News contributed to this report.
Timothy Nerozzi is a writer for Fox News Digital. You can follow him on Twitter @timothynerozzi and email him at timothy.nerozzi@fox.com
