Florida Governor Ron DeSantis held a rally in Sioux Center, Iowa on Saturday, May 14, 2023. The event was attended by hundreds of conservatives, and DeSantis used the opportunity to criticize the Biden administration and to tout his own record as governor.
DeSantis began his speech by attacking President Biden, saying that he is “weak” and “ineffective.” He also criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy.
“Under President Biden, America is weaker, less safe, and less prosperous,” DeSantis said. “We need a new president who will stand up for our values and fight for our interests.”
DeSantis then turned his attention to his own record as governor, saying that he has “made Florida the freest state in America.” He highlighted his efforts to ban mask mandates and vaccine passports, as well as his support for parental rights in education.
“In Florida, we believe in freedom,” DeSantis said. “We believe in parental rights, and we believe in limited government.”
DeSantis concluded his speech by calling on Iowans to support him in the 2024 presidential election. He said that he is the only candidate who can “defeat the radical left” and “make America great again.”
“I’m asking for your help to make America great again,” DeSantis said. “Together, we can defeat the radical left and restore our country to greatness.”
The rally was well-received by the crowd, and DeSantis appeared to be well-received by the Iowans in attendance. However, it remains to be seen whether he can translate his popularity in Iowa into support for a presidential run.
DeSantis is a rising star in the Republican Party, and he is seen by many as a potential challenger to President Biden in 2024. He is a strong conservative with a populist appeal, and he has been praised for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida. However, he is also a controversial figure, and he has been criticized for his attacks on the media and his support for former President Donald Trump.
It remains to be seen whether DeSantis can win over enough voters to become the Republican nominee in 2024. However, his rally in Iowa was a sign that he is taking the race seriously, and he is a candidate to watch in the coming months.
Background on Governor Ron DeSantis
Ronald Dion DeSantis (/dəˈsæntɪs/; born September 14, 1978) is an American politician and former military officer serving as the 46th governor of Florida since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, DeSantis represented Florida’s 6th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2018.
Early life and education DeSantis was born in Jacksonville, Florida, the son of Karen (née Rogers) and Ronald Dion DeSantis, Sr., a lawyer. He has two older sisters, Melissa and Casey. DeSantis’s father is of Italian descent, and his mother is of English and Scottish descent.
DeSantis attended Dunedin High School in Dunedin, Florida, where he was a star baseball player. He graduated from Yale University in 2001 with a degree in history. While at Yale, DeSantis was a member of the Skull and Bones society. He also played baseball for the Yale Bulldogs baseball team.
After graduating from Yale, DeSantis attended Harvard Law School, where he graduated in 2005 with a Juris Doctor degree. While at Harvard, DeSantis was a member of the Federalist Society.
Military service After graduating from law school, DeSantis joined the United States Navy. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps in 2004. DeSantis served in Iraq from 2007 to 2008 as a legal advisor to SEAL Team One. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service.
DeSantis left the Navy in 2010 with the rank of lieutenant commander.
Political career DeSantis was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2012, representing Florida’s 6th congressional district. He was reelected in 2014 and 2016.
In 2018, DeSantis ran for governor of Florida. He defeated Democrat Andrew Gillum in a close election. DeSantis was inaugurated as governor on January 8, 2019.
As governor, DeSantis has focused on issues such as education, the economy, and crime. He has also been a vocal critic of the Affordable Care Act.
DeSantis is a controversial figure. He has been criticized for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and for his support of former President Donald Trump. However, he remains popular with many Floridians.
Personal life DeSantis is married to Casey Black, a former television news anchor. They have three children: Madison, Mason, and Mamie.
DeSantis is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is a conservative Republican and a strong supporter of the Second Amendment.
DeSantis is a rising star in the Republican Party. He is seen as a potential presidential candidate in 2024.
