Ron DeSantis, an apparent 2024 presidential candidate, on the issues.
By Curt Anderson August 7, 2021 5:44 pm Category: President (0.0 from 0 votes)
Rules of the Post
Ronald Dion DeSantis is an attorney serving as the 46th governor of Florida since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he represented Florida's 6th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2013 to 2018.
As we have with other potential presidential candidates, we researched this candidate's endorsements, special interest group ratings, votes and public statements in determining their stance on the following issues. This accumulated information was used in determining the scoring of our 2024 Presidential Candidate Selector. With this selector you can see how well DeSantis and (at the moment, more than 30) other candidates align with your views. Your comments and corrections regarding this candidate and our analysis are welcome here.
HEALTH CARE ISSUES
Strongly supports those who would repeal & replace Obamacare. There are too many problems with it to fix it. Would also oppose any other government run health care programs. "We must repeal ObamaCare and replace it with patient-centered solutions that actually make health insurance more affordable, promote small business expansion and job growth, and relieve bureaucratic burdens on doctors and patients." Source
EMPLOYMENT ISSUES
Strongly supports those who say that the best thing government can do for workers is to butt out. That includes allowing the free market to determine wages and giving workers the right to not join unions. Gov. Ron DeSantis urged Floridians to vote against a proposed constitutional amendment that would raise Florida’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. “Now is not the time,” DeSantis said in a statement. “Ballot Amendment 2 would close small businesses, kill jobs and reduce wages.” Source
BUDGET & TAX ISSUES
Strongly supports those who say that the best government is limited government. The Cato Institute and other libertarians have the right idea: Less taxation means more money in the pockets of the people so they can solve their own problems. The libertarian think tank noted the first term Governor as a “lean budgeter” who continued Florida’s conservative spending record. And the group lauded him for signing tax cuts over the last two years. Source
BUSINESS ISSUES
Minimally agrees with those who say that the government should do more, not less, to protect citizens from corporate greed and excess.
Shares most of the views of those who say that legislation preferred by the US Chamber of Commerce and other business groups benefits everybody. "Don't make government work like a business... it's inherently inefficient." Source
TRADE ISSUES
Strongly supports those who say imported products come at the expense of American jobs. We need tariffs and other trade barriers to protect our economy.
On trade, DeSantis said Trump was trying to win concessions from other nations by threatening trade tariffs, even if retaliatory tariffs threaten to hurt some Florida industries, like citrus. “Donald Trump wrote ‘The Art of the Deal.’ He knows how to negotiate,” DeSantis said. Source
IMMIGRATION ISSUES
Strongly supports those who want American citizens to be protected from immigration. My ideal candidate would know that sanctuary cities harbor criminals, creating a dangerous environment for US citizens. Headline: DeSantis goes to Panhandle Republican country to sign hardline immigration measure Source
MINORITY ISSUES
Strongly supports those who say legislation designed to benefit any particular racial, ethnic or other minority group is inherently unfair, discriminatory and divisive. “We are going to get the Florida political apparatus involved so we can make sure there’s not a single school board member who supports critical race theory,” DeSantis announced in a Fox News appearance Saturday. Source
INTERNATIONAL & SECURITY ISSUES
Strongly supports those who have a hawkish peace through strength point of view. "We need a new generation of leaders who will promote policies that will...defend America's national security against those who threaten our people..." Source
CRIME & PUNISHMENT ISSUES
Leans toward the positions of those who favor the goals of the National Association of Police Organizations whose issues of importance include increased mental health access for offenders, training for officers who encounter mentally ill offenders, law enforcement access to military surplus equipment, gang deterrence and prevention programs and other issues here. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis lauded a new state law he championed as “the strongest anti-rioting, pro-law enforcement piece of legislation in the country.” Source
POVERTY & HOMELESSNESS ISSUES
Strongly supports those who say in solving the problems of the poor and homeless, government should take a backseat to private and faith-based charities. Headline: Gov. DeSantis has now vetoed funding to survivors of the Pulse nightclub shooting and a LGBT homeless youth shelter despite $9.5 billion budget reserve Source
EDUCATION ISSUES
Strongly supports those who share values of charter school, parochial schools and home school organizations which favor "school choice" voucher plans. In many cases, parents are advocating for their right to control their child's education and their religious freedom. Headline: Gov. DeSantis signs ‘largest expansion of school choice in the history of the state’ Source
CANNABIS ISSUES
Shares fewer than half the views of those who favor the legalization of marijuana for recreational and/or medical use.
Leans toward the positions of those who oppose any legalization of marijuana. “Not while I’m Governor,” said DeSantis. "I mean look, when that is introduced with teenagers and young people I think it has a really detrimental effect to their well-being and their maturity.” Source
RELIGIOUS & SOCIAL ISSUES
Strongly supports those who favor the agenda of the Christian Coalition, whose agenda includes ending human embryonic stem cell research, defunding planned parenthood, defending traditional marriage, ending religious discrimination against Christians in the military and these agenda items. Headline: LGBTQ Groups Blast Governor DeSantis for Stripping ALL funding for LGBTQ Programs from State Budget Source
GUN ISSUES
Strongly supports those who oppose gun control legislation, agreeing with groups such as the NRA and the Gun Owners of America.
“At a time when the Second Amendment is under attack like never before, Ron DeSantis has stood strong in protection of our freedoms and been a steadfast supporter of law-abiding gun owners,” said Chris W. Cox, chairman, NRA-PVF. “DeSantis voted for the strongest self-defense bill ever to come before Congress, supported pro-sportsman legislation, and worked to protect the constitutional rights of our veterans.” Source
ABORTION ISSUES
Strongly supports those who support the pro-life positions of organizations such as National Right to Life Committee.
At a pro-life event DeSantis spotlighted how he has appointed state Supreme Court justices in Florida that “respect the rule of law and religious liberty, and by signing legislation….that empowers families and sends a clear message that we will do everything we can to protect the unborn." Source
ENVIRONMENT & PROPERTY RIGHTS ISSUES
Strongly supports those who support positions of property rights advocating groups like the American Land Rights Association, which has an often contentious relationship the Environmental Protection Agency and Bureau of Land Management. Florida Conservation Voters Says: Don’t be Fooled. Ron DeSantis is no environmental champion. Source
RETIREMENT ISSUES
Strongly supports those who want to consider other options to Social Security, including privatization and allowing people to invest their own retirement funds.
[The] precursor to the Freedom Caucus that DeSantis is a part of, suggested a budget that would have raised the age for Social Security to 70 and Medicare to 67 in order to shrink the national debt. DeSantis voted for it. Source
VOTING ISSUES
Strongly supports those who say voter fraud is a serious election problem. lorida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed into law a sweeping election bill that has drawn accusations it will suppress voter turnout and already faces a legal challenge. DeSantis signed the bill, SB 90, in a closed-door event that blocked out all reporters and media coverage — except for Fox News. Source
NUCLEAR POWER ISSUES
Views not yet determined. We are continuing to research publicly available information.
ENERGY ISSUES
Views not yet determined. We are continuing to research publicly available information.
COVID-19 ISSUES
Strongly supports those who say it should be largely a state-led response to the virus, with minimal direction from the federal government.
Strongly supports those who denounce CDC recommendations that fully vaccinated Americans should don masks to combat soaring coronavirus infection rates. Washington Post: DeSantis sells ‘Don’t Fauci My Florida’ merch as new coronavirus cases near highest in nation Source
The views and claims expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of SelectSmart.com. Not every statement made here can be assumed to be a fact.
Comments on "Ron DeSantis, an apparent 2024 presidential candidate, on the issues.":
Ronald Dion DeSantis is an attorney serving as the 46th governor of Florida since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he represented Florida's 6th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2013 to 2018. 
