DeSantis Touts Decisive, Sometimes Divisive, Leadership in De Facto Campaign Speech

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is greeted by a crowd of about 1,500 on Feb. 28 at PGT Windows + Doors in North Venice, Fla. John Haughey/The Epoch Times

NORTH VENICE, Fla.—When Ron DeSantis arrived in Tallahassee in January 2019 after winning Florida’s 2018 gubernatorial race by 32,000 votes—less than a half-percent of 8 million ballots cast—he was told by insiders, experts, and pundits that the narrow victory was cause for cautious moderation in managing the swing state.

“I rejected that advice,” he said.