Florida Politics & News
Florida news featured in The Daily Signal with reporting, analysis, and commentary on conservative governance, education reform, and the Sunshine State’s leadership in policy innovation.
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opinion
How Florida Became New Capital of Red State America
In what was an overall frustrating election night for Republicans, in which the oft-predicted “red wave” failed to materialize nationally, there was one state above all that provided a clear beacon of hope. That would be my adopted state of Florida. In the Sunshine State last Tuesday evening, Gov. Ron DeSantis cruised to a second… -
opinion
A True Realignment in Florida
It was a difficult Tuesday night for Republicans. Despite so many factors pointing to a massive red tsunami likely to sweep Democrats out of power in the midterm elections, it was a small wave that gently lapped on GOP shores. But does a muted wave mean it’s time for the right to tap out? It’s still… -
news
DeSantis-Endorsed School Board Candidates Win in Florida
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, won reelection by almost 20 points, and all six of the school board candidates he endorsed have prevailed Tuesday. DeSantis had previously endorsed 24 candidates in school board races, all of whom won. While school board races are historically nonpartisan, parents’ outrage over critical race theory, transgender activism, and… -
news
‘Florida Is Where the Woke Goes to Die,’ Gov. Ron DeSantis Proclaims After Landslide Reelection
Wokeness isn’t welcome in Florida, and the Sunshine State is a place where it “goes to die,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, who was reelected in a landslide, said in a Tuesday night victory speech. DeSantis defeated Democratic U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, a former Republican and former governor, by nearly 20 percentage points with… -
news
BREAKING: Ron DeSantis Wins Reelection in Florida
Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis will win reelection, The Associated Press, The New York Times, and Fox News projected. It remains to be seen how large his margin of victory will be but with nearly 80% reporting, DeSantis leads with more than 16 points and more than 1 million votes, 57.96% to Democratic U.S. Rep…. -
news
Florida Medical Boards Ban Transgender Surgeries, Hormones for Minors
The Florida Board of Medicine and the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine approved a new rule Friday banning puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and transgender surgeries for minors. The two boards approved the rule banning such treatments for young people under 18 during a joint meeting on Friday, according to Florida’s Voice. The Florida Board of… -
opinion
7 Facts Biden Ignored About Social Security in His Speech to Florida Retirees
President Joe Biden claimed that Democrats will protect Social Security and that Republicans threaten its future in a speech Tuesday in Hallandale Beach, Florida. But the “reality” Biden portrayed is misleading and undermines Social Security’s future. Social Security’s future is not secure. The program is running out of time and money, and recent increases in… -
opinion
Fact Check: What Politico, FEMA Chief Got Wrong as Florida’s DeSantis Prepared for Hurricane Ian
Politico this week inaccurately reported remarks by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell about Florida’s response to Hurricane Ian, but she also appeared to be inaccurate in saying that she hasn’t ever acted politically during a natural disaster. Criswell, who runs the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Biden administration, spoke Tuesday at a White House press… -
news
DeSantis Touts Florida’s Successes, Paints Stark Contrast With Blue States
AVENTURA, Florida—Florida has become a “refuge of sanity in a world gone mad.” That was the assessment of Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., in remarks Saturday evening at the third National Conservatism Conference here in this city north of Miami. DeSantis’ speech focused on the core theme of how Florida has become a bastion of liberty—a… -
news
Conservatives Sweep School Board Races Across Florida
School boards in five Florida counties flipped to conservative majorities Tuesday with help from the endorsements of Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican. Miami-Dade County, Sarasota County, Duval County, Martin County, and Clay County held school board elections. The conservative school board candidates in the five counties won their races, resulting in a flip in the… -
opinion
A Company Flees Illinois for Florida, Showing Red States’ Appeal
In late June, Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker traveled to New Hampshire to be the keynote speaker at New Hampshire’s Democratic Party state convention. Officially, he was there to “help other Democratic governors get elected” and to lobby for Chicago as the site of the party’s 2024 presidential convention. Unofficially, there was buzz that Pritzker… -
news
New Florida Law to Prohibit Protests at Private Residences
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation Monday aimed at protecting the privacy of the state’s residents by prohibiting protests and picketing outside private residences. The bill takes effect Oct. 1 and bans any protesting at personal dwellings with the intent to “harass or disturb” the resident. Violators will be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor and will be subject to a possible 60… -
opinion
Florida to Teach Students About Evils of Communism. Some on the Left Aren’t Happy About It.
Florida students will now learn about the evils of communist totalitarianism, thanks to the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis signed HB 395 into law on Monday, creating a “Victims of Communism Day” in which middle school students will receive at least 45 minutes of instruction every Nov. 7 on topics “such as Mao… -
news
Florida Textbook Publishers Surrender to DeSantis, Scrub Woke Content
Textbook publishers are surrendering to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ demands that math instructional materials get in line with state standards, allowing more books to be added to the approved list, according to the Florida Department of Education. “Publishers are aligning their instructional materials to state standards and removing woke content allowing the department of education… -
opinion
Florida Follows the Science With New Guidelines on Transgender Treatment for Kids
Finally, someone actually cares about the children. The Florida Department of Health released new guidelines Wednesday about treating gender dysphoria in children. Unlike the recent guidance from the Biden administration, Florida’s guidance doesn’t promote aggressive medical interventions for minors who are struggling with gender dysphoria. Instead, the state’s guidance states: • Social gender transition should… -
opinion
Florida Bill Is Pro-Freedom, Not Anti-LGBTQ
The distorted rhetoric—should I say lies?—labeling Florida’s legislation about parental rights in public schools as “Don’t say gay” demonstrates the hypocrisy of LGBTQ activism. I say hypocrisy because this movement has always showcased itself as being about freedom, rights, and social justice. But the reality is that LGBTQ activism is not at all about freedom… -
news
‘They Don’t Say a Word’: DeSantis Slams Disney’s Opposition to Florida Bill
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized Disney for its opposition to the state’s parental rights legislation in a video shared by Fox News on Thursday. “When you have companies that have made a fortune off being family-friendly and catering to families and young kids, they should understand that parents of young kids do not want this… -
news
9 Things to Know About Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, Who Rejects COVID-19 Shots for Healthy Children
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo is drawing national attention after announcing Monday that his state will officially recommend that health officials not give COVID-19 vaccinations to healthy children. White House press secretary Jen Psaki responded by criticizing Ladapo for going against Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, saying: “It’s… -
news
Florida Gov. DeSantis Says ‘No Substitute for Courage’ in Fight Against Woke Institutions
This will be the year that America “fought back” against wokeness and authoritarianism, in the words of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. In a speech, which he delivered Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Florida, DeSantis explained how he has helped transform Florida into a bastion of freedom against growing authoritarianism. He also explained… -
opinion
Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill Hits Target: Gender Ideology Harms Kids
Children are being targeted with sexual content—not just in social media, but also in school curriculums. As with other recent controversies, however, leaders in Florida are fighting back. Lawmakers in the Sunshine State have introduced a new bill, Parental Rights in Education. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, that may be because big media…