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DeSantis won't have to resign as governor to run for president

Democrats, Republicans differ on him juggling 2 jobs
Posted at 6:40 PM, May 23, 2023
and last updated 2023-05-24 08:42:24-04

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — When Gov. Ron DeSantis makes his presidential candidacy official, he will not have to resign as governor.

Florida lawmakers crafted an exception to the state's resign-to-run law and DeSantis reportedly has the bill for his signature.

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As for juggling his job as governor with running a national campaign, many Republicans don't see it as an issue.

"It shouldn't be a problem," Peter Feaman, a national Republican committeeman from Florida, said. "A lot of the issues Florida faces dovetail into the national issues."

But the campaign that will likely take DeSantis away from Florida is seen as a problem among Democrats, who point to the governor's traveling this spring.

"He's already running a de facto campaign where he's been to Iowa, to New Hampshire, he's crisscrossing the country, and we have real issues here in the state of Florida," state Sen. Lori Berman, D-Boynton Beach, said.

"I think it is risky," Peter Schorsch, of Florida Politics, said. "I think there is the risk of another situation; the flooding in Fort Lauderdale and the governor is out of state and you magnify that to a larger degree. I don't want to see that happen. No one wants to see that happen."

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Florida is the third-largest state in the nation with more than 21 million people and a budget of $117 billion. Many point out that being in charge of it all can challenging.

"Florida is a big, bizarre place and there's constantly news," Schorsch said.