Can DeSantis’ relationship with Trump be rectified?
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has attributed the notable surge in voter registrations favoring the Republican Party to the state’s policies. Presently, Florida boasts a Republican voter registration lead of nearly 900,000, a remarkable shift from just a few years ago when Republicans trailed by almost 300,000 voters in 2018. DeSantis highlighted that this shift is partly due to existing Florida residents changing their party affiliation to Republican and disenchanted voters finding a home within the GOP.
DeSantis emphasized on Fox News’s Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo that the influx of residents to Florida isn’t primarily driven by a desire to import the policies of states like Illinois, California, or New York. Rather, newcomers appreciate Florida’s distinct approach, which has contributed significantly to the recent surge in Republican registrations.
Florida, once considered a swing state where victories were often marginal, has seen a transformation under DeSantis’ leadership. He pointed out that his administration has steered the state away from this trend, a development he views as beneficial for the Republican Party’s future prospects.
The shift in voter registration became evident in 2021 when Republicans surpassed Democrats in Florida. The state experienced a substantial influx of approximately 444,500 new residents from July 2021 to July 2022, the largest year-over-year migration impact recorded. By March 2022, Republican registrations exceeded Democrats by over 100,000.
Presently, registered Republicans hold a commanding lead of 889,569 voters over Democrats, with the latter experiencing a net loss of 1,000 voters.
Regarding speculation about his presidential ambitions, DeSantis indicated that he is currently focused on serving Florida and has not made any plans beyond the upcoming elections. In January, he announced the suspension of his 2024 presidential campaign, citing his commitment to his gubernatorial duties.