Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is considered the main rival to former President Donald Trump in the Republican presidential nomination race. Below are some of his policy stances, as well as how some compare to Trump’s.
Abortion Stance
DeSantis signed a bill prohibiting abortions in Florida after 15 weeks following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the constitutional right to abortion. He later signed a stricter bill banning the procedure after six weeks, which a majority of Floridians, including some Republicans, oppose.
Teaching in Schools
DeSantis has focused on “culture war” issues, particularly “woke ideology.” He has led efforts to restrict classroom discussions on sex and gender identity, resulting in the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill. DeSantis’ ongoing feud with Disney, one of Florida’s largest employers, began after the company criticized the bill.
Border Wall and Immigration
DeSantis has embraced Trump’s signature policy of building a border wall. He gained national attention in 2018 with a campaign ad featuring him teaching his baby to build a border wall with children’s toy bricks. DeSantis has also made headlines by sending asylum seekers to the Democrat-ran state of Massachusetts.
Social Security
DeSantis and Trump both avoid conflict with the crucial voting bloc of pensioners. While DeSantis has supported raising the retirement age to 70 in the past, he now states, “We’re not going to mess with Social Security as Republicans.”
Related Story: What DeSantis Told California Republicans Gathered in Coalinga
Ukraine and Foreign Policy
DeSantis has faced criticism for his comments on the Ukraine war, referring to it as a “territorial dispute” not in the U.S.’s vital interests. He has since modified his position and expressed a desire for a settlement but has not provided specific details.
Economy and International Trade
DeSantis has visited the UK, South Korea, Japan, and Israel on an “international trade mission” to build economic relationships between Florida and these countries. However, some may perceive his focus on culture wars as a lack of interest in addressing issues like the rising cost of living and property insurance.
Read more at BBC.com
