DeSantis Spokesman’s Resignation Telegraphs 2024 Presidential Race Announcement

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reacts after signing a copy of his new book, "The Courage to Be Free: Florida's Blueprint for America's Revival," at the North Charleston Coliseum on April 19, 2023 in North Charleston, South Carolina. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Bryan Griffin, press secretary for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, has resigned so he can “pursue other avenues of helping to deliver the governor’s success to our country.”

Griffin released his two-page resignation letter in a May 15 tweet. A number of Twitter users commented that Griffin’s departure appears to signal that DeSantis’ long-awaited presidential campaign announcement is on the horizon—and that Griffin will most likely play a role in DeSantis’s political organization.

Some Twitter commenters noted that the final sentences of Griffin’s resignation appear to strongly suggest that a presidential run is imminent.

“I believe that Governor DeSantis is the only leader who can see us to victory at this critical moment in American history,” Griffin declared.

The nation faces “historic challenges,” Griffin wrote, including “a national demoralization and abandonment of our shared values and purpose.”

‘Revival and Restoration’

Bryan Griffin stepped down on May 15, 2023, to take a new role as press secretary for DeSantis's "political operations." (Courtesy of Bryan Griffin)

Griffin pledged to help DeSantis overcome those challenges, adding, “America is worth the fight ... If I can be even a small part of the revival and restoration of our great nation, then I am prepared to give it my all.”

Working as DeSantis’ press secretary was “the honor of a lifetime,” Griffin added. The woman who formerly held that position, Christina Pushaw, resigned last August to assist DeSantis’s political operation.

DeSantis’s anticipated entry into the 2024 presidential race had been complicated by the state’s “resign-to-run” law. But a recent change has cleared the path for DeSantis to seek federal office without resigning from his governorship.

Meanwhile, DeSantis is on a speaking tour to promote his recently released book, “The Courage to Be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Revival.” Critics have denounced the book tour as a “shadow campaign” for a presidential run.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis hawks his book at a book tour speech in Smyrna, Ga., on March 30, 2023. (Phil Mistry/The Epoch Times)

Presumed Challenger to Trump

While still undeclared as a presidential contender, DeSantis is the closest potential challenger against the current frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination.

Former President Donald Trump, the two-time defending GOP nominee, is far ahead of DeSantis in political polls; all other potential or declared challengers have been polling in the single digits.

Trump has widened his polling lead in recent weeks despite a spate of legal battles.

Because Trump endorsed DeSantis’ first gubernatorial run in 2018, Trump has repeatedly stated that he would consider it “disloyal” for DeSantis to run against him.

‘True Conservative’

Griffin praised DeSantis for setting the stage to ensure that “Florida will be a safe, prosperous, exceptional, and successful place for our children and posterity to live for generations.”

“Together, we have irrevocably enshrined freedom and truth into Florida’s institutions and law,” Griffin wrote.

He called DeSantis and his wife, Casey, “principled leaders and courageous fighters.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, second from left, waves as he arrives with his wife Casey, right, and their children Mason, Madison, and Mamie during his inauguration ceremony outside the Old Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla., on Jan. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

“I have seen Governor DeSantis presented with many choices over my tenure, and I can confidently say he consistently chose to do what was right,” Griffin wrote.

DeSantis is a “true conservative” and has surrounded himself with people who share those values, Griffin said.

“The team here is a group of people I am now proud to call my friends. They are extraordinarily good and committed people who are dedicated to serving Floridians and who have exceeded every expectation I held upon joining state government,” he said.

Accomplishments Touted

Griffin said DeSantis’s list of accomplishments is long, and gave a few examples.

Under DeSantis’ leadership, the state “rejected politicized education,” has “unapologetically stood for families, parents, and children,” and became “the nation’s optimal destination to live, have a family, and raise children who will be safe from both physical harm and nefarious radicalization.”

“Florida has refused to accept the ideological capture of its institutions and has systematically battled the entrenched ideologues to wrest back the control of academia, enterprise, and the health care industry and return it to the people,” Griffin wrote.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (C) issues updates on Hurricane Ian, flanked by with Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie (L) at the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, Fla., on Sept. 29, 2022. (Florida Governor's Office via Reuters/Screenshot via The Epoch Times

Griffin also touted the governor’s leadership in the wake of Hurricane Ian, which caused widespread damage to the state in September 2022.

“Finally, Florida’s example under Governor DeSantis during and after COVID in rejecting power grabs and falsehoods served as the impetus that turned the tide and pushed our country back towards freedom and sanity,” Griffin wrote.

“Without Florida and without Governor DeSantis, the courage to stand up, fight back, and speak truth against the establishment narrative might not have prevailed within our nation for years.”

And, Griffin said, “All of these things that Governor DeSantis has accomplished in Florida can be replicated nationwide.”