Ron DeSantis Criticizes GOP Leadership After Narrow Florida Wins
Governor Ron DeSantis attacked Republican leadership and insider trading following midterm elections where Florida Republicans maintained statewide control by narrow margins.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized Republican Party leadership and national strategy following midterm elections that saw significant Democratic gains. While DeSantis described the national electoral environment as a meteor strike of Democratic success, he credited Florida for holding the line and maintaining Republican statewide control.
Republicans kept the governorship and key statewide offices, though by narrower margins than in 2022. Byron Donalds won the governorship by approximately 1.3%, while candidates for attorney general and chief financial officer won by 2.2% or less. The GOP victory was supported by a 1.55 million voter registration advantage and the passage of Amendment 3, which reduced taxes for homesteaded property owners. However, the Florida House lost its GOP supermajority as Democrats increased their seat count to 50, and Democrats flipped one seat in the Florida Senate.
DeSantis used the results to distance himself from Washington GOP leaders, specifically targeting President Donald Trump over Middle East policies and gas prices. He also condemned congressional insider trading and the failure of members of Congress to vote for the release of the Epstein files. Within Florida, DeSantis attacked outgoing House Speaker Daniel Perez, calling him a rotten speaker. Following the elections, betting odds for the 2028 presidential race shifted, with DeSantis's prospects rising as those for JD Vance declined.
