Whether his chosen local and legislative candidates win or lose — and most of them will probably win — Gov. Ron DeSantis emerges from this year’s primary elections as the most significant leader, both politically and administratively, Florida has ever seen.
With a steadily growing national profile and a campaign bank account in nine digits, the governor is taking his show on the road. Not only is it extremely unusual for a Florida governor stake some political capital — personally and financially — in races at the county and district levels, we’ve never seen an officeholder go jetting off to campaign events for candidates in other states, while he’s got his own re-election race going back home.
Zac Anderson, political editor of the Sarasota Herald Tribune, reported just before the primary that DeSantis endorsed at least 34 candidates. In some 16 counties, most of his endorsements were in school board races, which are officially non-partisan although everyone knows who’s a Republican or Democrat — or, more important, who’s the more conservative in every race.
This year, that means backing DeSantis’ policies on curriculum, face masks and what the governor calls “indoctrination” (rather than “education”) on race, gender, and social justice stuff.
DeSantis also endorsed Senate President Wilton Simpson for agriculture commissioner and some state House and Senate contenders who will support his policies in the Legislature. The governor’s seal of approval is so avidly sought by GOP candidates, some who aren’t officially endorsed like to drop his name in me-too advertising. The DeSantis re-election campaign even had to send a “cease and desist” order to one Miami-area school board hopeful who implied that she had his backing, although the governor had endorsed someone else in that race.
Anderson reported that the DeSantis campaign committee has also spread money around among his favored candidates.
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How endorsing helps Gov. Ron DeSantis, two different ways
There are two probable consequences, long- and short-term, for the governor’s involvement in races at the local level. First, it assures him a large batch of political IOUs in the Legislature and county governments statewide. Second, it helps build the Republican bench for years to come, developing talent for races long after DeSantis has moved on.
And we all know where he would like to move — maybe only halfway through the second term he’s seeking in the governor’s mansion.
As this is written on Tuesday, the primary polls are still open and there’s no telling how many DeSantis-backed Republicans will win their nominations — or how much his endorsement helps those who do. But there’s probably not a Republican in any contest who wouldn’t want him with them.
Losses of his chosen candidates will probably be few and easily explained. Maybe some competitor gets lucky in a very close race, or liberals do a remarkably good job at turning out voters in this-or-that county. But the money DeSantis has spread around, and his smiling visage in campaign mailings and personal appearances, are bound to pay dividends for his selected slate.
Evan Power, who chairs the Leon County Republican Party, told Anderson the governor’s campaign has been discerning in its endorsements. And since the governor was not on the ballot himself in the primary, success of his endorsed candidates can be easily interpreted as public acceptance of what DeSantis has done for the past four years, especially in education.
“This governor is extremely popular with the grassroots and rank-and-file Republicans and those primary voters look for his opinion on people to vote for,” Power said. “I think he’s used that power to push for active conservatives who share his view of Florida. It’s something Republicans have wanted for a long time, Republicans who are willing to fight for a conservative agenda.”
Bill Cotterell is a retired Tallahassee Democrat capitol reporter who writes a twice-weekly column. He can be reached at bcotterell@tallahassee.com
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