DeSantis’s Florida is the New Model for GOP Policy

What’s happening: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) lost national attention after dropping out of the 2024 presidential race but has continued to deliver policy wins for conservatives.

• Pro-life: DeSantis overcame a legal challenge in April when the Supreme Court upheld his law banning abortion at 6 weeks of pregnancy. The law took effect Wednesday.

• Education: Last month, the governor signed a package of education-related bills. Changes include requiring K-12 students to study the “evils” of communism, allowing religious chaplains and patriotic organizations in schools, and creating a certificate in classical education.

• Tough-on-crime: Another new law increases penalties for “squatters” — people who reside in rental property without paying rent — and allows for immediate eviction. “What passes muster in New York and California is not passing muster here,” DeSantis said.

• Restricting social media: DeSantis enacted bans on social media accounts for minors under 14 and requires parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds.

Economic success: Florida’s economy is booming under DeSantis; his administration credits his “Freedom First policies.” The Sunshine State ranks tenth in the country for manufacturing jobs and first for entrepreneurship. Its unemployment rate remained below the national average for the past three years.

Why it matters: Florida’s population is one of the fastest growing in the country while California, Illinois, and other blue states are losing population to red states. Despite his declining approval rating, DeSantis’ Florida gives the GOP a model for enacting boldly conservative policies while remaining a popular place to live.