Cost of guarding DeSantis saw a big jump in the past year

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The cost to provide around-the-clock security for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his family jumped by more than 58 percent in the past year, an increase that coincides with the governor’s re-election campaign and the start of his bid to become president.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement released an annual report on Tuesday that showed that the amount the state spent protecting the governor grew from $5.94 million in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2022, to $9.41 million during the budget year that ended June 30 of this year. The report tracks spending on staffing as well as transportation costs paid for the security detail over a 12-month period.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is responsible for providing security to the governor, first lady Casey DeSantis and members of the governor’s family, as well as security on the grounds of the governor’s mansion located about a mile north of the state Capitol in Tallahassee.

The jump in security costs for DeSantis were largely due to an increase in salary costs for those guarding the governor. That rose from $2.37 million in 2022 to $5.03 million in 2023. The report does not break out the number of those that are part of the governor’s detail or whether the increased salary costs were due to overtime expenses.

Officials with the state’s law enforcement agency are reticent to go into specifics about the governor’s protective services due to security concerns. Earlier this year, state legislators passed a new law that shielded most of DeSantis’ travel records even on trips he had previously taken.

But Jeremy Redfern, a spokesman for DeSantis, said that the higher costs were due to a need to increase security for the governor.

“By law, FDLE must provide protective services to the governor and the first family,” Redfern said in an email. “His record as the most effective conservative governor in American history has also earned him an elevated threat profile, and FDLE has increased the number of protective agents to ensure the governor and his family remain safe.”

Last fall, DeSantis traveled throughout the state as he ran for re-election. But he also made trips out of state, including making appearances on behalf of other Republican candidates for office such as Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake. After he won a second term in office, DeSantis embarked on a tour during the spring to promote his book that took him across the country. He did not officially declare for president until late May, but once he did, he started making regular stops in key early primary states.

The state report also includes a breakdown on how much is spent providing protective details for visiting dignitaries such as governors and other top officials from other states. The agency spent more than $457,000 in the past year providing security for out-of-state visitors and other types of dignitaries, a total that included more than $96,000 spent on security for the Republican Governors Association meeting held in Orlando last number.

The report also says that the Department of Law Enforcement spent more than $117,000 for DeSantis’ inauguration — which was also augmented by private security services paid by the Republican Party of Florida.