TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis sounded very similar to a 2024 presidential candidate as he was sworn in to a second time period Tuesday, addressing nationwide points like immigration and inflation as a lot as highlighting his personal plans for the state.
DeSantis turned to the message that helped him win reelection by a landslide and construct a nationwide picture as a conservative, blasting “woke” ideology, repeatedly calling Florida a frontrunner for freedom and setting the stage for a possible run for the White Home.
“Florida’s success has been made harder by the floundering federal institution in Washington D.C. Federal authorities has gone on an inflationary spending binge that has left our nation weaker and our residents poorer,” DeSantis mentioned.
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He mentioned on points like COVID-19 restrictions, federal spending and immigration coverage, Washington is pushed by a political ideology that has eroded freedom and stunted commerce.
“We reject this woke ideology. We search normalcy not philosophical lunacy. We is not going to enable actuality, information and reality to grow to be non-compulsory. We’ll by no means give up to the woke mob. Florida is the place woke goes to die,” DeSantis mentioned to loud applause.
Democratic Home Chief Fentrice Driskell mentioned DeSantis’ speech was aimed extra at his future political ambitions than it was at addressing the state’s issues.
“That is in all probability the primary Florida governor to offer an inaugural speech not talking to the folks of our nice state and the challenges all of us face, however directed at GOP main voters and billionaire donors,” Driskell mentioned in a information launch. “Any time he needs to distract from his personal failed report, he creates a brand new faux ‘woke’ boogeyman to battle.”
The ceremony befell after Florida’s three independently elected Cupboard members have been sworn in. He took his oath in entrance of the state’s historic Capitol, the place the principle road by town was renamed Ron DeSantis Method for the day.
DeSantis defeated Democrat Charlie Crist, a former Republican governor and Democratic congressman, by greater than 29 proportion factors in November. It was an enormous blowout in a state recognized for shut elections, and different Republicans on the statewide poll gained by related margins.