Ron DeSantis Faces Concerns of a Vengeful Return to Florida Governorship

Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, has recently withdrawn from the 2024 US presidential election after a short-lived campaign. However, concerns arise about his return to the governorship with a potentially vengeful attitude. More than a dozen legislators, lobbyists, political operatives, members of the DeSantis administration, and Republican members of Congress have expressed worries that DeSantis might retaliate in his second term as governor. State representative Randy Fine, who endorsed Donald Trump and initially supported DeSantis, hopes that the governor will take this setback as a learning experience. Conversely, Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, predicts that DeSantis may come back with anger and attempt to “burn it all down.”

Based on past occurrences, fears of a revengeful DeSantis are not unfounded. He has previously clashed with Disney after the company opposed a law that restricted teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity. DeSantis also had a falling out with Susie Wiles, his 2018 campaign manager and currently a top adviser to Trump, leading him to call for her removal from Trump’s reelection campaign. Moreover, DeSantis allegedly used his line-item veto power to eliminate funding for projects endorsed by state senator Joe Gruters because Gruters endorsed Trump.

While some, like US representative Matt Gaetz, believe that DeSantis will be forward-looking in his governance, others worry about the potential consequences. On the day he withdrew from the presidential race, DeSantis expressed opposition to a Florida bill that aimed to use taxpayer money to support Trump’s legal bills. Mirroring this opposition, the bill’s sponsor swiftly withdrew the legislation. The concern remains that DeSantis, now scorned, may seek revenge by targeting specific individuals or initiatives.

Proper Nouns: Ron DeSantis, Florida, Republican, Donald Trump, Disney, Susie Wiles, Joe Gruters, Matt Gaetz