Florida legislative session shaded by presidential contest may power Ron DeSantis’ future

TALLAHASSEE – A legislative session colored by last November’s presidential election could power Florida’s Ron DeSantis toward future contests – with lawmakers filling a wish list the governor pushed that is seen as custom-made for the Republican voting base.

Already a Fox News favorite and a potential contender for his party’s White House nomination, DeSantis’ agenda was topped by a crackdown on protesters involved in demonstrations that turn violent, an election law overhaul limiting mail ballots and drop boxes, and new state regulations on social media platforms under fire for banning former President Donald Trump, the governor’s political mentor.

“What I see with Gov. DeSantis is him very much leaning into this pattern nationwide, with conservative legislatures putting forth these kinds of reforms, these sorts of bills ... to appear tough – to continue throwing red meat to their base,” said Rep. Fentrice Driskell, a Tampa Democrat.

Washington money helped:GOP’s DeSantis helped by windfall from Washington Democrats

GOP wary of spending:Democrats push Florida GOP leaders to spend more stimulus cash on people than projects

But DeSantis’ Republican allies dispute the motives Democrats attribute to him.

Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Naples, who sponsored the governor’s Big Tech push, pointed to an April survey by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy which showed 60% of Floridians, including more Democrats than Republican, support making social media sites publish standards for banning users, a key part of the bill DeSantis demanded.

“What we’re doing resonates with people on both sides of the aisle,” Rodrigues said. “For some reason in this chamber, at this time, it’s perceived as partisan. But if you get outside the bubble of Tallahassee, this is a bipartisan issue.”

“While it’s perceived as red meat by some, I see it as a real bipartisan bill,” he added.

Policy decisions and spending priorities

Results of the last fight for the White House helped inspire the governor’s policy decisions. But President Joe Biden’s victory also helped DeSantis meet some spending priorities.

The $10.2 billion steered to Florida government under Biden’s American Rescue Plan was approved by the Democratic-led Congress over opposition from every Republican member.

The windfall coming to Florida allowed the governor to dramatically enhance state spending on water quality, climate change and environmental cleanup – always issues that poll well in Florida.

It also helped clear the way for $1,000 pay raises for first responders, correctional officers and teachers, voting blocs that could help DeSantis on the next stop on his political path – a reelection campaign next year.

DeSantis is scheduled to speak to a Pennsylvania Republican group May 20, a visit that may bolster his profile in one of the nation’s presidential battlegrounds. Biden’s victory in Pennsylvania, declared four days after Election Day, put him over the 270 electoral votes needed to become president.

The DeSantis stop would come just three days after Florida lawmakers return to Tallahassee for a special session to review a gambling compact the governor recently signed with the Seminole Tribe, allowing the Tribe’s seven casinos to serve as a hub for sports betting and potentially bring $2.5 billion in tax revenue into the state treasury over the next five years.

“Did he enhance his appeal to conservatives in Florida and nationwide? I’m going to say yes,” said Rep. Evan Jenne of Dania Beach, the state House’s Democratic co-leader. “He’s got the pulse of that base. He’s a very serious contender.”

But most House and Senate Democrats said the session fell short of meeting the needs of working Floridians and small businesses hurt by the pandemic.

Jenne added: “Politically, he’s helped himself this session. But in terms of policies that help the people of Florida, not so much.”

DeSantis’ top initiatives and court challenges

All of DeSantis’ top initiatives are expected to face court challenges.

The election law changes have been attacked by the NAACP, League of Women Voters of Florida, and the state branch of the American Civil Liberties Union as violating voting rights laws; while the so-called anti-riot and social media legislation have been condemned as unconstitutionally limiting free speech.

Sports betting:DeSantis reaches sports betting deal with Seminole Tribe

More:Gov. DeSantis’ proposal to punish social media sites moves in Florida Senate

But DeSantis has cast himself as ready to fight for these issues – which touch the public safety themes, vote fraud theories and antagonism toward technology titans like Mark Zuckerberg that animate conservative voters.

Florida Atlantic University Political Science Professor Kevin Wagner said DeSantis “had a very strong session” from a political standpoint. 

“You can see that he’s very influential in the legislation that gets passed and he’s clearly one of the leaders in the Republican Party, not just in the state but nationally,” Wagner said.

While many of the governor’s priorities are more popular with the Republican base, Florida GOP Chair Joe Gruters said they also have a populist edge that gives them broader appeal. 

Gruters, a Sarasota state senator, cited the “anti-riot” bill.

The legislation has been denounced by opponents who worry that peaceful protesters could find themselves swept up and criminalized when others turn violent. Foes fear the new criminal offenses and enhanced penalties, which DeSantis called for while last summer’s Black Lives Matter demonstrations were still fresh, may be applied more vigorously against Black protesters.

But the Republican messaging around the bill has focused on curbing rioting and looting, something few would take issue with. GOP candidates pushed a similar, pro-law enforcement theme in 2020 campaigns.

“In terms of the rioting bill, if you are fan of riots and inflicting damage and hurting police officers, you’re probably not for this bill,” Gruters said. “But if you are for law and order, you’re probably with the governor.”

He added, “We may not get a lot of Democrat votes, but I think for the most part, they’re mainstream, populist-type bills that appeal to a broad audience.”

Piney Point:DeSantis endorses effort to permanently close Piney Point in Manatee County after disaster

More:Before controversial policy push, Gov. Ron DeSantis first reshaped Florida’s highest court

Yet the governor’s proposals and other high-profile bills that have garnered his support, including a ban on transgender athletes playing women's sports and a measure outlawing vaccine passports, resonate more with conservatives. Wagner said many ambitious Republicans are trying to position themselves as Trump’s heir, but DeSantis has done it particularly well. 

“The strength of the Republican party is still associated in large part with the coalition that Trump established,” Wagner said, adding: “I think you could make a pretty good argument that Gov. DeSantis has been pretty effective at reaching those voters.” 

Gruters argued that DeSantis is well positioned to run for president if Trump bows out. 

“Not only is he the frontrunner, he’s the overwhelming frontrunner,” for the GOP nomination in 2024 right now, Gruters said. 

John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Network’s Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jkennedy2@gannett.com, or on Twitter at @JKennedyReport