TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis sounded very like a 2024 presidential candidate as he was sworn in to a second term Tuesday, addressing nationwide points like immigration and inflation as a lot as highlighting his personal plans for the state.
DeSantis turned to the message that helped him win reelection by a landslide and construct a nationwide picture as a conservative, blasting “woke” ideology, repeatedly calling Florida a frontrunner for freedom and setting the stage for a possible run for the White House.
“Florida’s success has been made more difficult by the floundering federal establishment in Washington D.C. Federal government has gone on an inflationary spending binge that has left our nation weaker and our citizens poorer,” DeSantis stated.
He stated on points like COVID-19 restrictions, federal spending and immigration coverage, Washington is pushed by a political ideology that has eroded freedom and stunted commerce.
“We reject this woke ideology. We seek normalcy not philosophical lunacy. We will not allow reality, facts and truth to become optional. We will never surrender to the woke mob. Florida is where woke goes to die,” DeSantis stated to loud applause.
Democratic House Leader Fentrice Driskell stated DeSantis’ speech was aimed extra at his future political ambitions than it was at addressing the state’s issues.
“This is probably the first Florida governor to give an inaugural speech not speaking to the people of our great state and the challenges we all face, but directed at GOP primary voters and billionaire donors,” Driskell stated in a news launch. “Any time he wants to distract from his own failed record, he creates a new fake ‘woke’ boogeyman to battle.”
The ceremony occurred after Florida’s three independently election Cabinet members have been sworn in. He took his oath in entrance of the state’s historic Capitol, the place the primary avenue by town was renamed Ron DeSantis Way for the day.
DeSantis defeated Democrat Charlie Crist, a former Republican governor and Democratic congressman, by greater than 29 proportion factors in November. It was an enormous blowout in a state recognized for shut elections, and different Republicans on the statewide poll gained by related margins.
Along the best way, DeSantis has constructed a nationwide picture, usually touring the nation fundraising for himself or campaigning for different candidates.
DeSantis used an endorsement by then-President Donald Trump to return out of nowhere to win the 2018 governor’s race in an election so shut it required a recount. DeSantis constructed his recognition largely on preventing COVID-19 restrictions, continually attacking President Joe Biden and being vocal on points like unlawful immigration, giving dad and mom extra management over faculty books and instruction, insurance policies seen as anti-LGBTQ.
“When other states consigned their people’s freedom to the dustbin, Florida stood strongly as freedom’s lynchpin. When the world lost its mind, when common sense suddenly became an uncommon virtue, Florida was a refuge of sanity,” DeSantis stated.
“Florida is proof positive that we the people are not destined for failure. Decline is a choice. Success is attainable. And freedom is worth fighting for,” DeSantis stated.
Politically, DeSantis has helped make the state extra conservative by getting concerned in native politics and reshaping faculty boards and taking full management of the rewriting congressional maps to provide Republicans extra energy in the U.S. House.
The man who can credit score Trump for his success now could be seen as the highest Republican to problem him in 2024.
Florida’s legislative session begins in two months, and DeSantis is promising laws that may create what he calls household pleasant tax cuts, increase gun rights and make it tougher for academics to affix unions.
While he hasn’t introduced particulars, DeSantis has additionally stated he helps further restrictions on abortions.