Florida's top 2 GOP legislative leaders back DeSantis for president

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida’s two Republican legislative leaders, who gave Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis a string of significant legislative victories during the recently concluded session, endorsed the GOP governor in his highly anticipated run for president.

Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and House Speaker Paul Renner gave their support to DeSantis shortly after joining him for a bill signing ceremony held on Tuesday morning in Broward County. They both touted his “vision” and the policies he has pushed over the last several years ranging from education to his anti-lockdown positions during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Gov. DeSantis has a proven record of delivering on the pro-family, pro-economic ideals that not only will keep Florida free but will be of critical importance in a 2024 presidential election,” Renner (R-Palm Coast) said in announcing his endorsement.

Passidomo (R-Naples) said: “Gov. DeSantis is exactly the kind of leader we need for our country, and I look forward to supporting him for president.”

DeSantis has not yet officially jumped into the race, but he has been taking steps in advance of a campaign announcement that could come as soon as next week. Last weekend he visited Iowa where he sounded very much like a candidate. DeSantis has detached himself from his state political committee and his press secretary resigned Monday in anticipation of taking a job with the governor’s looming campaign.

The endorsement of Passidomo and Renner is not a surprise, but their decision to back the governor comes as a super PAC helping DeSantis has been touting support by legislators in key early 2024 states such as Iowa and New Hampshire.

The endorsements by top Florida legislators comes after former President Donald Trump has already picked up endorsements of a majority of Florida’s congressional delegation, including picking up the support of a couple of members who were seen as being more closely aligned with DeSantis. State Sen. Joe Gruters, a former chair of the Republican Party of Florida, has already endorsed Trump as well.

Both Renner and Passidomo were instrumental in helping DeSantis push through an aggressive legislative package during the past two months. Lawmakers passed a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, scrapped permitting requirements for those carrying concealed weapons, adopted a ban on gender affirming care for minors, an overhaul of Florida’s higher education system and made it easier to carry out the death penalty.