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WASHINGTON, Sept 15 (Reuters) – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis despatched two planeloads of migrants to the luxurious trip island of Martha’s Winery this week, to protest the Biden administration’s immigration insurance policies. read more
It is the newest provocation by DeSantis, a Republican who’s searching for re-election as governor in November and is taken into account a possible 2024 presidential candidate.
POLITICAL RISE
DeSantis, 44, was elected Florida’s governor in 2018 after President Donald Trump endorsed the then-congressman over a extra established Republican candidate. His nationwide profile grew through the COVID-19 pandemic, when he resisted masks and vaccine mandates and argued for the opening of colleges.
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He has ruled Florida with a brash and heavy hand, blasting critics, pushing his priorities by means of the legislature and punishing his enemies. He not too long ago faraway from workplace an elected Democratic prosecutor in Tampa for what DeSantis referred to as an unwillingness to implement abortion restrictions.
IMMIGRATION
DeSantis has taken an aggressive strategy to unlawful immigration even though Florida doesn’t share a border with one other nation. He sued Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration over its immigration insurance policies and sought to ban so-called “sanctuary cities” – locations that refuse to cooperate with immigration authorities – from being established within the state.
“Persons are questioning, ‘Why are you doing this?,’” DeSantis stated earlier this 12 months. “Individuals will say, ‘Let Texas or Arizona fear about that.’ Let me inform you, folks making an attempt to come back in illegally try to get to Florida.”
CULTURE WARRIOR
DeSantis has been the celebration’s main determine in combating “tradition wars,” notably with regard to training. He championed the “Don’t Say Homosexual” regulation that prohibits Florida academics from discussing sexual orientation with younger college students, sparking a conflict with Disney, a big employer within the state.
He has backed restrictions on what academics can educate about U.S. historical past and race relations, arguing that public colleges “indoctrinate” college students with liberal values. He additionally has seized management of the state Board of Training and supported conservative faculty board candidates in native races.
PRESIDENTIAL AMBITIONS
As his prominence throughout the Republican Get together has risen, so has discuss DeSantis operating for president in 2024. The largest impediment in his path is Trump himself, who is anticipated to hunt one other time period in workplace.
DeSantis has been cagey about whether or not he would problem Trump, who continues to be the preferred determine within the celebration. Meantime, DeSantis has proved to be a prolific fundraiser, having raised $172 million for his re-election marketing campaign from sources inside and outdoors of Florida – on tempo to set the document for fundraising in a gubernatorial race.
He has continued to construct nationwide recognition, taking time away from the state to stump for different Republican candidates forward of November’s midterm elections.
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Reporting by James Oliphant
Enhancing by Colleen Jenkins and Jonathan Oatis
Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
