Ron DeSantis is the 46th Governor of Florida, serving since January 2019. He was re-elected in November 2022 by approximately 19 percentage points — one of the most lopsided gubernatorial wins in Florida history. He ran for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, suspending his campaign after the Iowa caucus and endorsing Trump on January 21, 2024. He is term-limited and his second term ends January 2027. His tenure has been defined by Florida's COVID-19 policy approach, anti-DEI legislation, education curriculum reforms, and ongoing legal/political fights with Disney.
Four promises chosen to span how voters across the political spectrum view this politician's record.
DeSantis signed multiple executive orders prohibiting school mask mandates and vaccine passports. Florida reopened schools and businesses faster than most large states. The 'Free State of Florida' framing was his defining 2020-2022 brand. Florida's net population growth during this period suggested some validation of the policy framework; mortality outcomes were similar to comparison states.
Signed Stop WOKE Act (April 2022). Banned DEI offices at state universities (May 2023). Restricted gender-identity instruction in K-3 (Parental Rights in Education Act, March 2022). Implementation continued despite some federal-court partial injunctions.
Flew migrants from Texas to Massachusetts (Martha's Vineyard, September 2022) — the high-profile political move drew lawsuits but no significant policy impact. Signed E-Verify and immigration-enforcement bills. Did not pass comprehensive state-level reform comparable to Texas Operation Lone Star scale.
Signed 15-week ban (April 2022). Signed 6-week 'heartbeat' ban (April 2023). However, November 2024 Florida Amendment 4 (constitutional amendment establishing abortion right to viability) received 57% support — short of the 60% supermajority required, so the 6-week ban remains in effect. DeSantis campaigned against Amendment 4 but the broad public-support level showed substantial Florida opposition to the 6-week framework.
Defend Second Amendment / constitutional carry.
Signed permitless concealed carry law (April 2023). Florida is 26th state with permitless carry.
Hold the line on state taxes.
Florida remains a no-state-income-tax state. Signed multiple tax-cut packages. Property-tax-relief measures advanced.
Punish Disney over public criticism.
Dissolved Reedy Creek Improvement District (Disney's quasi-governmental zone) — the bill was signed but the dissolution was partially walked back via successor entity (CFTOD). Disney litigation against DeSantis dismissed in federal court. Substantive impact on Disney operations: limited.
Win 2024 presidential primary.
Suspended campaign January 21, 2024 after Iowa caucus second-place finish. Endorsed Trump.
Education reform / parental rights.
Signed Parental Rights in Education Act (March 2022). Signed school-choice expansion (May 2023) making Florida one of the largest universal-school-choice states. Curriculum standards revised including African American history standards (2023, controversial).
Florida hurricane recovery.
Managed responses to Hurricanes Ian (September 2022), Idalia (August 2023), Helene/Milton (September-October 2024). Federal disaster declarations secured promptly. Some critics noted slow recovery in specific affected communities; aggregate response widely praised.
Reduce illegal immigration enforcement.
Signed SB 1718 (2023), strongest state-level immigration-enforcement bill, including E-Verify requirement for businesses with 25+ employees and harboring restrictions.
Defend religious liberty.
Signed multiple religious-liberty measures. Allowed school chaplains as student-support staff.
Pass term limits / reform government.
Florida has term limits for state legislators and governor. DeSantis has not pushed for federal term limits at the same level as state-level ones.
Stand against China / Chinese property purchases.
Signed SB 264 (2023) restricting Chinese-government-affiliated property purchases in Florida. CFIUS-style state review process.
Win 2022 re-election.
Won November 2022 re-election 59-40 over Charlie Crist — Florida's largest gubernatorial victory margin in 20+ years.
With enough demand for objective journalism, SEALED Press researches and writes the next book in the series — full case studies, paper trails, and color-coded verdicts on every promise this politician has made.