Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Florida Republican Legislature Considering State Law Change Allowing DeSantis to Run for President


When the republican Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives publicly supports a legislative change that would permit the republican Governor to run for the GOP nomination, it doesn’t happen without prior discussion.

FLORIDA –  Top Republicans in the Florida legislature said Tuesday that they’d be willing to change state election law so that Gov. Ron DeSantis could run for president without resigning from his current job. 

“I think that’s a great idea,” Florida House Speaker Paul Renner said in a press conference with reporters at the state capitol, when asked about potential changes to the state’s so-called “resign to run” election law in the forthcoming legislative session. “I think we’ll look at that.” 

Senate President Kathleen Passidomo echoed Renner’s comments, saying it would be an “honor” to have someone from Florida running for president. She agreed with Renner it would be a “good idea” to change the law. “I think he should be allowed to do it,” she said. 

Under current Florida law, if DeSantis were to run for president then he would have to resign his post as governor — even if he eventually lost the presidency. Candidates have 10 days to resign after they qualify for federal office, but how exactly that is defined when it comes to the presidency isn’t clear and has been open to different interpretations, according to The Miami Herald

[…] DeSantis hasn’t tried to tamp down speculation that he might seek a White House bid, and hasn’t committed to serving out all four years as governor. (read more)