DeSantis Pitches 'Florida Model' as National Blueprint at Midterm Rally

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis rallied Republicans in Osceola County, positioning his administration's conservative record as a national blueprint and urging voters to bring an aggressive, Florida-style governance to Washington. Speaking at a rally for Dan Green, the Republican candidate for Florida’s 9th Congressional District, DeSantis highlighted his administration's high-profile battles on education, state spending, and corporate pushback.

DeSantis characterized his approach as one that confronts and wins significant policy fights. "We have fought every big fight that there has been to fight in the state of Florida, and we have won every big fight that there is to fight in Florida," he stated. He presented a list of perceived victories, including actions against Dr. Fauci on COVID-19 policies, Disney on "gender ideology," and the removal of George Soros-backed prosecutors. He also cited efforts against "illegal immigration" by sending migrants to Martha's Vineyard, banning Sharia law, and enacting universal school choice over teachers unions.

"Leadership—when it's popular, when it's easy—anyone can do that," DeSantis said. "It really matters when it is tough and when you're going to face arrows." He recounted facing criticism during the COVID-19 pandemic for not implementing stricter lockdowns or school closures but maintained his focus was on protecting the liberty, jobs, and businesses of Floridians.

The governor specifically emphasized his confrontation with Disney, stating, "Nobody in the history of the state had ever taken on Disney in anything. A lot of people told me I was making a mistake. But the reality is: do we want a society in which our six-year-olds are being told they can change genders, or do we want a society rooted in truth?" He asserted that even against powerful opposition, standing up and fighting for principles is essential.

DeSantis contrasted Florida's fiscal management with national trends, noting that the state has reduced its budget for four consecutive years. He claimed that during his tenure, Florida would retire 54% of its total historical state debt. He also highlighted Florida's No. 1 ranking in education freedom and its public university system, while keeping in-state tuition costs unchanged since he took office. He contrasted this with rising prices elsewhere, humorously noting that the dollar menu at McDonald's had increased in price.

On tax relief, DeSantis stated Florida had provided $10 billion in tax reductions during his tenure, including eliminating taxes on baby items and back-to-school supplies, and on business rent. He also urged support for Amendment 3 on the November ballot, which he argued would give voters more control over their homes by eliminating non-school property taxes.

Drawing parallels to his own narrow victory in 2018, DeSantis addressed the current midterm election environment, which he described as having headwinds for Republican candidates. He recalled that Florida was considered a swing state and that many doubted his ability to win the governorship. He declared, "When you get in a position to lead, you either do it or you should just sit down. My job was not to be worried about my own political hide. My job was to be worried about protecting the liberty, jobs, and businesses of the people I was elected to serve."

DeSantis maintained that he has never polled issues to determine his stance, preferring to lead based on conviction. "I got elected to lead," he said. "So I am going to fly the banner of bold colors, not pale pastels. I'm going to do what I believe in. I am not going to take any polls."