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How Ron DeSantis transformed swing-state Florida into the GOP’s best hope
Florida stayed firmly Republican in an election that brought major Democratic gains elsewhere, with Republicans winning the governor’s, Senate, attorney general and chief financial officer races. The opinion writer credits Ron DeSantis with helping turn the state from a longtime swing state into a stronger Republican base, arguing that his policies and outreach to newcomers shaped its political direction.
The article says Donald Trump’s margin in Florida grew from one percentage point in 2016 to more than 13 points in 2024, as people moved there from states with stricter pandemic rules, higher taxes and other policies they opposed. It points to DeSantis’s welcome to new residents, school and protest policies, and Florida’s voter identification and reporting practices as factors behind the shift, while acknowledging that Democrats turned out strongly and politics can change.
In short
- Republicans won key Florida races despite Democratic gains elsewhere.
- The writer credits DeSantis’s policies and outreach to newcomers.
- Trump’s Florida margin rose from one point in 2016 to over 13 in 2024.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
DeSantis’s supporters could argue that his policies and welcome to newcomers helped make Florida more attractive to people who valued lower taxes, fewer pandemic restrictions and his approach to schools and protests. They may see the state’s stronger Republican results as evidence that this agenda resonated with voters, while its voter rules and reporting practices were lawful parts of election administration.
The case against
Critics could argue that Florida’s shift reflects broader migration and national political trends, so crediting DeSantis overstates his personal role. They may also question whether school and protest policies served all residents fairly, and whether voter identification and reporting practices affected participation or public confidence; strong Democratic turnout and the possibility of future political change complicate claims that Florida is now securely Republican.