DeSantis signed âanti-riotâ bill flanked by sheriffs. Where was Chad Chronister?
A fellow Republican, the Hillsborough sheriff whose office responded to arson and looting was not invited to Mondayâs ceremonial bill-signing in Polk County.
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Gov. Ron DeSantis shows off his signed anti-riot bill at a news conference at the Polk County Sheriff s Office in Winter Haven on Monday. At least five Florida sheriffs stood behind DeSantis during the event, but the governor s office did not invite the sheriff from the county next door, Hillsborough s Chad Chronister. [ RICARDO RAMIREZ BUXEDA | AP ]
Updated 2 hours ago
When Gov. Ron DeSantis set up his photo op to sign an âanti-riotingâ bill in Polk County this week, he had a phalanx of Florida sheriffs behind him.
DeSantis staff demanded we pay to see public records about the Publix-vaccine deal. We did . two months ago. The state still won’t release the records.
Gaetz and DeSantis: A friendship that may become a liability
STEVE PEOPLES, BRENDAN FARRINGTON and JILL COLVIN, Associated Press
April 15, 2021
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1of8FILE - In this Nov. 6, 2018, file photo, Florida Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis, second from left, thanks supporters with his wife, Casey, left, Lt. Gov.-elect Jeanette Nunez, center; her husband, Adrian Nunez, second from right, and Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., after being declared the winner of the Florida gubernatorial race at an election party in Orlando, Fla.Phelan M. Ebenhack/APShow MoreShow Less
2of8FILE - In this Jan. 17, 2019, file photo Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, center, John Morgan, left, and Rep. Matt Gaetz, right, listen during a press conference at Kraft Azalea Garden in Winter Park, Fla. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Tampa Bay Times via AP, File)Willie J. Allen Jr./APShow MoreShow Less
Steve Peoples, Brendan Farrington And Jill Colvin April 15, 2021 - 10:03 PM
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - When he launched his campaign to become Floridaâs governor in January 2018, few expected Ron DeSantis to prevail in Americaâs toughest political battleground.
The 39-year-old congressman was largely unknown outside his Daytona Beach district. He didnât have the professional staff or fundraising prowess typically required to compete in such a large state. And he was going up against a more established rival for the Republican nomination.
But at his side, DeSantis had a key ally with strong connections in state politics and the respect of the White House: Matt Gaetz, the Florida congressman now embroiled in a federal sex trafficking investigation. Gaetz appeared at campaign events alongside DeSantis, played his Democratic rival Andrew Gillum in mock debate preparations and encouraged then-President Donald Trump to back DeSantis for governor.
GOP donors gravitate to DeSantis Governor gets his anti-riot bill as Republicans brush off critics Appeals court rules against Epstein victims
Presented by Floridians for Affordable Rx
Hello and welcome to Friday.
The daily rundown Between Wednesday and Thursday, the number of Florida coronavirus cases increased by 6,762 (0.3 percent), to 2,148,448; active hospitalizations increased by 17, to 3,275; deaths of Florida residents rose by 74 (0.1 percent), to 34,238; 7,699,875 Floridians have received at least one dose of a vaccine.
Upswing So there are more and more signs that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is surging to frontrunner status in the phantom primary for 2024.
Rolling DeSantis is about to wrap up his third legislative session with one of his top priorities an anti-riot’ bill he touted during President Donald Trump’s campaign rallies last fall just passed amid strong opposition by Democrats. (More on that below.) He’s found momentum among conservatives f