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Steve’s Marketplace: On DeSantis Fall from Grace

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By Steve Nicklas, 2-2-25

Ron DeSantis used to be affectionately called “America’s governor.” Now he is barely Florida’s governor.

Ever since DeSantis took a leave from office to pursue an ill-fated run for president, his political career has been spiraling. He got humiliated by Donald Trump in the presidential primary race, only to limp back to Tallahassee to a reception as icy as Ginnie Springs.

Now the Florida Legislature he once controlled has spurned him. DeSantis hastily called a special session over immigration reform, only to have state lawmakers override it.

Imagine the humiliation. As soon as House Speaker Daniel Perez banged the gavel to kick off DeSantis’ special session, he did the same thing to close it. Republicans have super majorities in the House and Senate, so lawmakers can override DeSantis.

Instead, Florida lawmakers are going at it on their own, calling another special session to endorse the immigration model of Trump – not GINO (Governor In Name Only) DeSantis. They are even naming the new legislative act after Trump: “Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy.”

“Sometimes leadership isn’t about being out front on an issue,” said Ben Albritton, the state Senate president. “It’s actually about following the leader you trust. I trust President Trump.”

Perez also shot back at the desperate DeSantis. Special sessions “should not be stunts designated to generate headlines,” Perez said.

So what does hardheaded DeSantis do? He embarks on a series of press conferences around the state promoting his immigration plan, not Trump’s. Drawing crowds the size of Joe Biden’s seven-circle events.

It is a fall from grace that could become a gripping John Grisham book. From the highs of his first four years as a celebrated governor to the lows of today. But DeSantis has brought it on himself.

He sold out to the Bush-Cheney establishment types, who encouraged him to run against Trump. He inked a cool $1.2 million book deal before convincing state lawmakers to grant him a temporary absence.

Now we’re left with a damaged governor who has made more misguided decisions than just running for president. And to think he once had the inside track on becoming Trump’s vice president.

DeSantis’ foils are everywhere. Houses in South Florida still have blue tarps on their roofs from hurricanes, while DeSantis has been away/astray. He whiffed on two special sessions to address the homeowner/business insurance quagmire here.

The property insurance issue is the biggest headwind to Florida’s phenomenal growth. Meanwhile, DeSantis may be conflicted from accepting campaign contributions from these same insurance companies.

DeSantis also championed a new law requiring certified inspections of high-rise condominiums. In a fallout from the new law, condominium owners are being forced out of their homes from outlandish special assessments following the inspections. Insuring against another Surfside collapse is wise, but only if homeowners have a workable path forward.

This type of government overreach is typical of California, where greaseball governor Gavin Newsom is combusting like a propane tank in the Los Angeles fires. It’s humorous to recall the televised debate between these two has-beens. Nobody cared then — and care less now.

Not stopping there, DeSantis passed up rising star Lara Trump to fill Marco Rubio’s vacated U.S. senate seat. Instead, he chose Florida attorney general Ashley Moody, who has as much pizzazz as a law book and as much oomph as a wet firecracker.

And Florida has a deep bench politically. Byron Donalds, Matt Gaetz, Anna Paulina Luna and Cory Mills come to mind. Yet he picked Moody, who may be a placeholder for DeSantis until the 2026 elections when the seat reopens. And DeSantis might run for it.

It doesn’t appear that Trump asked DeSantis to be part of his administration. DeSantis has made many disparaging comments about Trump, proving he drank the poisonous tea of the collapsing Bush-Cheney syndicate.

Come to think of it, DeSantis’ political future is only a few steps ahead of former foe Andrew Gillum. It is a fall from grace for the history books. Maybe even a John Grisham book.


Steve Nicklas is a decorated financial advisor and an award-winning columnist. He has written financial columns for the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group as well as Community Newspapers, Inc. He has also published a book of his favorite columns, “All About Money” (available on Amazon). In addition, he has done business reports for Jacksonville-area radio stations including National Public Radio. He can be reached at 904-753-0236 or at [email protected].

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