DeSantis announces his intent to run for re-election but has yet to file the necessary paperwork to be an official candidate.
Courtesy of The State of Florida
By Adriana Reeves
After months of speculation, Gov. Ron DeSantis has laid to rest any claims that he is running for president in 2024. Instead, he announced his plan to remain Florida’s governor for another term.
DeSantis made the announcement on Fox News’ “Hannity” on Sept. 30.
“No matter how many times you’ve answered the question about ‘Are you considering a run for the presidency in 2024?’ and you give the same answer, they keep asking you,” Hannity said. “What is your answer to those people that ask again and again?”
“I’m not considering doing anything beyond my job,” DeSantis said. “We’ve got a lot of stuff going on in Florida, I’m going to be running for re-election next year.”
The segment focused on DeSantis’ opinions on how President Joe Biden is handling the allotment of monoclonal antibody treatments and Florida’s ongoing lawsuit against the Biden administration over the catch-and-release policy– which allows immigrants who have entered the country illegally to remain in the U.S. while awaiting hearings in immigration court, as an alternative to holding them in immigration detention.
Junior mass communications major Matthew Lee hopes the next Florida governor brings stability to the economy.
“Other than my wish to have cooler weather year-round, my hope is that the state of Florida will continue to grow economically and continue to help individuals who are in need of resources to better their lives,” Lee said.
As a St. Petersburg native, Lee said he feels DeSantis made the proper moves to help Florida navigate the pandemic.
“From what I’ve seen from DeSantis this past year, promoting raises for teachers, environmental resources and supporting Floridians through mental health services, I believe he has the qualities of a good governor for Florida,” Lee said.
Lauren Wood, a senior mass communications major, said DeSantis is unfit to be up for re-election.
“Given how DeSantis has governed Florida during the COVID-19 pandemic, I do not believe he is fit to run again,” Wood said. “We need someone strong enough to think for themselves and for their people, who puts the citizens’ best interest before a political agenda.”
Wood hopes the next governor will listen to the needs of the younger residents in Florida.
“One quality I wish to see in the next governor is someone who listens to their young people,” Wood said.
“There has been an overwhelming cry for adequate gun control in Florida by high school students and older representatives, but we have yet to see any action taken by the people in power,” Wood said.
Wood said she would like a governor that promotes a “green society” and implements strategies to counteract climate change.
As of Oct. 16, the Florida Department of State’s Candidate Tracking System does not show that DeSantis has filed the official paperwork needed to run as a candidate.
There are currently 13 official candidates running for governor, including St. Petersburg resident Charlie Crist and current Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried.
If he loses his re-election, DeSantis’ term will end on Jan. 3.
