Florida Republicans are currently involved in a civil war, with Governor Ron DeSantis criticizing state House leadership for revolting against voters and pursuing a “swamp-centric agenda.” DeSantis accused the House leadership of wanting to empower the left and steer Florida away from its conservative path. He described the House as operating based on fear and retribution. House Speaker Daniel Perez fired back, calling the governor hypocritical and accusing him of mismanagement and financial issues. He defended the House’s conservative stance and policies, highlighting their differences with the governor.
DeSantis, a former U.S. congressman and member of the House Freedom Caucus, secured a dominant re-election victory as governor in 2022. He launched a presidential campaign in 2023 but ultimately endorsed Donald Trump after Trump’s successes in the GOP presidential caucus. Before leaving office, DeSantis aims to propose a constitutional amendment to lower or eliminate property taxes in Florida, considering them oppressive and ineffective. The governor believes that property taxes essentially amount to paying rent to the government and unjustly tax unrealized gains. He is committed to putting a property tax proposal before voters.
DeSantis expressed his frustration with the state legislature, noting their lack of action on the property tax proposal. He suggested that if lawmakers do not act, a citizens’ initiative could be pursued to get the issue on the ballot. Perez retorted that the governor has not provided a plan or explanation for his property tax proposal and accused him of waiting for others to do the work. He challenged DeSantis to take meaningful action rather than just making statements and holding press conferences. The ongoing tension between DeSantis and the state House continues to shape Florida’s political landscape.
DeSantis, currently serving his second term, will not be eligible to run for re-election in 2026, and Trump has already endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds for the gubernatorial race. While DeSantis plans to be involved in the race, he has not yet made a formal endorsement. He believes that the recent conflicts between the state House and his administration have highlighted the fragility of Florida’s success and the need for continued conservative leadership in the state. The power struggle within the Republican Party in Florida reflects broader divisions within the party at the state and national levels.
The feud between DeSantis and House Speaker Daniel Perez underscores larger ideological and strategic differences within the Florida Republican Party. DeSantis’s push for a constitutional amendment to abolish property taxes and other conservative policy priorities has put him at odds with some members of his own party. Perez and other state legislators have taken issue with DeSantis’s governing style and approach to key issues. As the political dynamics in Florida continue to evolve, the outcome of this internal party conflict could have significant implications for the state’s future direction and governance.
Overall, the clash between DeSantis and state House leadership reveals deep-seated tensions within the Florida Republican Party, with both sides accusing the other of straying from conservative principles and acting against the interests of voters. As the state prepares for future elections and transitions in leadership, the outcome of this intra-party conflict will shape the political landscape in Florida and potentially have broader implications for the Republican Party as a whole. The competing visions and strategies of DeSantis and Perez reflect broader debates within the GOP about the party’s direction and priorities in the post-Trump era.
