Ronald Dion DeSantis (born September 14, 1978) is an American politician serving since 2019 as the 46th governor of Florida. A member of the Republican Party, he represented Florida's 6th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2018. DeSantis is a candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
DeSantis, Trump court Iowa's evangelical voters, promising Christian-focused policy
In November, Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis netted what seemed to be a key evangelical endorsement in the run-up to the Iowa caucuses -- now just less than three weeks away.
Bob Vander Plaats, president of the FAMiLY Leader organization and a major evangelical figure in the Hawkeye State, endorsed the governor in an interview on Fox News, calling DeSantis a "bold and courageous leader."
(Oren Oppenheim/ABC News/12/28/23)
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In November, Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis netted what seemed to be a key evangelical endorsement in the run-up to the Iowa caucuses -- now just less than three weeks away.
Bob Vander Plaats, president of the FAMiLY Leader organization and a major evangelical figure in the Hawkeye State, endorsed the governor in an interview on Fox News, calling DeSantis a "bold and courageous leader."
(Oren Oppenheim/ABC News/12/28/23)
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Caucus candidates talk faith at Dordt
First up was Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who brought his wife, Casey. Like he has done throughout his campaign, DeSantis leaned on his record leading the third-most populous state. While in Iowa, he has often mentioned policies similar to those of Gov. Kim Reynolds, such as his new private education vouchers. “You look at universal school choice, we beat the teachers union, and now every parent in Florida has the ability to send their kid to the school of their choice,” DeSantis said. (Elija Helton/Northwest Iowa 12/15/23)
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First up was Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who brought his wife, Casey. Like he has done throughout his campaign, DeSantis leaned on his record leading the third-most populous state. While in Iowa, he has often mentioned policies similar to those of Gov. Kim Reynolds, such as his new private education vouchers. “You look at universal school choice, we beat the teachers union, and now every parent in Florida has the ability to send their kid to the school of their choice,” DeSantis said. (Elija Helton/Northwest Iowa 12/15/23)
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Republican candidates kiss the Christian nationalist ring
GOP presidential candidates' appearance at a “Thanksgiving family forum” hosted by a Christian conservative group signals the far-right’s power — and more specifically, Christian nationalists’ power — over today’s Republican Party. Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis agreed to appear at the Family Leader's roundtable discussion Friday in Iowa. Donald Trump was invited but did not attend. The reason for the front-runner's absence is unclear, though one possible motivation could be that Family Leader President Bob Vander Plaats has said it's time for someone to replace Trump as the party's de facto leader.
(Ja Han Jones/MSNBC 11/20/23)
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GOP presidential candidates' appearance at a “Thanksgiving family forum” hosted by a Christian conservative group signals the far-right’s power — and more specifically, Christian nationalists’ power — over today’s Republican Party. Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis agreed to appear at the Family Leader's roundtable discussion Friday in Iowa. Donald Trump was invited but did not attend. The reason for the front-runner's absence is unclear, though one possible motivation could be that Family Leader President Bob Vander Plaats has said it's time for someone to replace Trump as the party's de facto leader.
(Ja Han Jones/MSNBC 11/20/23)
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Top GOP candidates converge in Iowa for evangelical Christian forum that Trump skipped
Three Republican presidential candidates gathered Friday at a proverbial Thanksgiving dinner in Iowa for a “family discussion” that falls in the middle of an increasingly contentious primary.
Shoulder-to-shoulder, rather than separated by podiums on a debate stage, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley engaged in a discussion on issues important to Iowa evangelicals at the Christian conservative Family Leader’s Thanksgiving forum.
(Alayna Treene, Veronica Stracqualursi, Kit Maher/CNN 11/17/23)
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Three Republican presidential candidates gathered Friday at a proverbial Thanksgiving dinner in Iowa for a “family discussion” that falls in the middle of an increasingly contentious primary.
Shoulder-to-shoulder, rather than separated by podiums on a debate stage, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley engaged in a discussion on issues important to Iowa evangelicals at the Christian conservative Family Leader’s Thanksgiving forum.
(Alayna Treene, Veronica Stracqualursi, Kit Maher/CNN 11/17/23)
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"I'm sometimes asked about the role that faith plays in my leadership as governor … I don't know how you could be a leader without having faith in God." --Ron Desantis September 2023
Some of Donald Trump 's top rivals for the Republican presidential nomination addressed a large gathering of influential Iowa evangelical Christians on Saturday night, hoping to woo them away from the former president at an event he is skipping.
Former Vice President Mike Pence was attending the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition's annual banquet and town hall in Des Moines along with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Also speaking were Nikki Haley, a former South Carolina governor who served as Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, as well as Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and former Texas Rep. Will Hurd.“Once again it starts in Iowa and it depends on you,” Republican Iowa Gov. Reynolds told the crowd. “Are you ready to take our country back?”
The crowd of more than 1,000 also heard Iowa Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson play “Amazing Grace” on her violin with many singing along. It featured many devout and well-connected social conservatives whose ranks are large enough to play a decisive role in Iowa's first-in-the-nation Republican caucuses in January. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz used strong appeals to evangelical Republicans to win the GOP's 2016 caucuses.This time, however, Trump's rivals face a much tougher task as he has built a large early GOP primary lead. That's despite his skipping the event and many of the gatherings that attract most of the other candidates. He's also remained popular with evangelical Christians and social conservatives in Iowa and elsewhere who were delighted to see his three picks for the U.S. Supreme Court vote to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision last year and erase a federally guaranteed right to abortion.DeSantis was among the candidates who also held a series of pre-banquet events throughout Iowa. The governor spoke at a town hall in the rural community of Red Oak earlier Saturday, and at the evangelical Christian church on Des Moines’ southside of the politically influential pastor Mike Demastus.
There, DeSantis led a discussion on religious liberty and railed against what he called the “steady chipping away” by “the left in this country intent on infringing on religious freedom.”
The Florida governor called to the altar supporters who praised his signing a Florida law this year banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, and others who praised his support for allowing religious exceptions for businesses who have refused to provide services for same-sex marriages out of their religious conscience.
Yet DeSantis didn’t discuss his own faith, a hallmark of successful caucus candidates, even going back to George W. Bush who in 1999 famously said when asked to identify his favorite political philosopher, named “Jesus Christ,” “because he changed my heart.”
Instead, DeSantis stood on the altar while more than a dozen pastors placed their hands on him and prayed that “he has his ears as open as he can for you to speak to him.”
Robin Star of Waukee, just west of Des Moines, attended DeSantis' address at the church and said she was glad the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade but that Trump doesn't deserve all the credit. Still, Star said she'd vote for Trump if he’s the Republican nominee but fears he cannot unify the Republican Party enough heading into the general election against President Joe Biden.
--News-Press Now; Trump skips Iowa gathering of evangelical Christians. His rivals hope for a chance to gain ground 9.16.23
Former Vice President Mike Pence was attending the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition's annual banquet and town hall in Des Moines along with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Also speaking were Nikki Haley, a former South Carolina governor who served as Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, as well as Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and former Texas Rep. Will Hurd.“Once again it starts in Iowa and it depends on you,” Republican Iowa Gov. Reynolds told the crowd. “Are you ready to take our country back?”
The crowd of more than 1,000 also heard Iowa Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson play “Amazing Grace” on her violin with many singing along. It featured many devout and well-connected social conservatives whose ranks are large enough to play a decisive role in Iowa's first-in-the-nation Republican caucuses in January. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz used strong appeals to evangelical Republicans to win the GOP's 2016 caucuses.This time, however, Trump's rivals face a much tougher task as he has built a large early GOP primary lead. That's despite his skipping the event and many of the gatherings that attract most of the other candidates. He's also remained popular with evangelical Christians and social conservatives in Iowa and elsewhere who were delighted to see his three picks for the U.S. Supreme Court vote to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision last year and erase a federally guaranteed right to abortion.DeSantis was among the candidates who also held a series of pre-banquet events throughout Iowa. The governor spoke at a town hall in the rural community of Red Oak earlier Saturday, and at the evangelical Christian church on Des Moines’ southside of the politically influential pastor Mike Demastus.
There, DeSantis led a discussion on religious liberty and railed against what he called the “steady chipping away” by “the left in this country intent on infringing on religious freedom.”
The Florida governor called to the altar supporters who praised his signing a Florida law this year banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, and others who praised his support for allowing religious exceptions for businesses who have refused to provide services for same-sex marriages out of their religious conscience.
Yet DeSantis didn’t discuss his own faith, a hallmark of successful caucus candidates, even going back to George W. Bush who in 1999 famously said when asked to identify his favorite political philosopher, named “Jesus Christ,” “because he changed my heart.”
Instead, DeSantis stood on the altar while more than a dozen pastors placed their hands on him and prayed that “he has his ears as open as he can for you to speak to him.”
Robin Star of Waukee, just west of Des Moines, attended DeSantis' address at the church and said she was glad the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade but that Trump doesn't deserve all the credit. Still, Star said she'd vote for Trump if he’s the Republican nominee but fears he cannot unify the Republican Party enough heading into the general election against President Joe Biden.
--News-Press Now; Trump skips Iowa gathering of evangelical Christians. His rivals hope for a chance to gain ground 9.16.23
Prominent SC evangelical leaders form coalition, back DeSantis in 2024 GOP presidential race
A group of prominent South Carolina faith leaders are rallying support for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in his effort to woo evangelical voters in the 2024 race. Eighteen Christian leaders, including pastors, church leaders and theology experts, will lead a network of 100 members, the Greenville News has learned. The list includes leaders from churches based in the Upstate such as Rev. Tony Cribb at Hope Church, which has branches in Greenville, Spartanburg and Simpsonville. The list also includes educators from Bob Jones University and North Greenville University.
(Devyani Chhetri/Greenville News 9/21/23)
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A group of prominent South Carolina faith leaders are rallying support for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in his effort to woo evangelical voters in the 2024 race. Eighteen Christian leaders, including pastors, church leaders and theology experts, will lead a network of 100 members, the Greenville News has learned. The list includes leaders from churches based in the Upstate such as Rev. Tony Cribb at Hope Church, which has branches in Greenville, Spartanburg and Simpsonville. The list also includes educators from Bob Jones University and North Greenville University.
(Devyani Chhetri/Greenville News 9/21/23)
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July 24, 2023:
There has been some confusion as to what kind of faith Ron DeSantis has. Not for me, because if he is a member of any particular faith he ignores it in rallies and interviews by demonizing everyone who does not talk like him. That puts far short of Jesus and the great commission to preach to the ends of earth (ie. to preach Christ and Him crucified..not Ron DeSantis crucified). Slate has an article stating that he "is solidly Roman Catholic. A recent descendant of Italian immigrants, DeSantis counts a Catholic priest as an uncle and a nun as an aunt. He grew up going to Catholic school and attending Catholic mass every Sunday." Now there is uncertainty as to whether he is still a practicing Catholic. When the Catholic magazine America reached out to his press team to clarify his religious denomination, for example, they got no response. Given that DeSantis makes faith integral to his political identity, it became confusing enough that the Orlando Sentinel published a story with this reveal:
After months of dodging the question, DeSantis’ staff and a priest have confirmed
that DeSantis and his family regularly attend the handful of Catholic churches in the
Tallahassee area.
Now we know....or do we? His talk and speeches he gives do use some of the Christian decorum...but not a large part. He spends a lot of time attacking anyone to the left of him. Hardly any legit claim on Christianity can be made by him (or Donald Trump...which goes without saying). His stump speeches have him come off as a rebel without a cause or, at least, without a moral compass. He ran an ad (alluding to Paul Harvey’s “So God Made a Farmer” speech) implying that he had been sent by God to be a fighter. But, truly, God has sent no one to demonize people.
There has been some confusion as to what kind of faith Ron DeSantis has. Not for me, because if he is a member of any particular faith he ignores it in rallies and interviews by demonizing everyone who does not talk like him. That puts far short of Jesus and the great commission to preach to the ends of earth (ie. to preach Christ and Him crucified..not Ron DeSantis crucified). Slate has an article stating that he "is solidly Roman Catholic. A recent descendant of Italian immigrants, DeSantis counts a Catholic priest as an uncle and a nun as an aunt. He grew up going to Catholic school and attending Catholic mass every Sunday." Now there is uncertainty as to whether he is still a practicing Catholic. When the Catholic magazine America reached out to his press team to clarify his religious denomination, for example, they got no response. Given that DeSantis makes faith integral to his political identity, it became confusing enough that the Orlando Sentinel published a story with this reveal:
After months of dodging the question, DeSantis’ staff and a priest have confirmed
that DeSantis and his family regularly attend the handful of Catholic churches in the
Tallahassee area.
Now we know....or do we? His talk and speeches he gives do use some of the Christian decorum...but not a large part. He spends a lot of time attacking anyone to the left of him. Hardly any legit claim on Christianity can be made by him (or Donald Trump...which goes without saying). His stump speeches have him come off as a rebel without a cause or, at least, without a moral compass. He ran an ad (alluding to Paul Harvey’s “So God Made a Farmer” speech) implying that he had been sent by God to be a fighter. But, truly, God has sent no one to demonize people.
There are other ways he takes on this spiritual warfare language, as when he ran an ad (alluding to Paul Harvey’s “So God Made a Farmer” speech) implying that he had been sent by God to be a fighter. It’s a religious tone that fits the candidate’s culture-war sensibilities. |
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Evangelical leaders beg DeSantis and Florida Legislature not to make them criminals for transporting immigrants to church
The legislation presents a potential dilemma for churches accustomed to obeying the law and living out their callings at the same time, said Steve Gregg, associate pastor at Creekside Community Church, an Evangelical Free congregation in Gainesville. “Our church is currently helping to launch a ministry that gives legal aid to folks trying to navigate an often-complicated path toward immigration legal status. We are committed to following the law and helping any client served to do the same. The way this bill seems to be written could put volunteers at risk of criminal prosecution for simply bringing clients to church or to other functions.”.
(Jeff Brumley/Baptist News Global 3/31/23)
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The legislation presents a potential dilemma for churches accustomed to obeying the law and living out their callings at the same time, said Steve Gregg, associate pastor at Creekside Community Church, an Evangelical Free congregation in Gainesville. “Our church is currently helping to launch a ministry that gives legal aid to folks trying to navigate an often-complicated path toward immigration legal status. We are committed to following the law and helping any client served to do the same. The way this bill seems to be written could put volunteers at risk of criminal prosecution for simply bringing clients to church or to other functions.”.
(Jeff Brumley/Baptist News Global 3/31/23)
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Can DeSantis break Trump’s hold on the religious right?
(RNS) — Ten months before the first votes are cast in 2024, the contours of the Republican nominating contest are already changing daily. Most recently, former President Donald Trump’s team promised to blackball any professional campaign aides who work for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, warning: “It’s a time for choosing.” Many evangelical Christian leaders, meanwhile, have not yet chosen. Their consciences tell them DeSantis could give them what they want in policy debates and on the culture-war front without the baggage of Trump’s misdeeds. But they are still terrified of their own Trump-adoring or -accommodating rank and file.
(Jacob Lupfer/Religion News Service 3/30/23)
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(RNS) — Ten months before the first votes are cast in 2024, the contours of the Republican nominating contest are already changing daily. Most recently, former President Donald Trump’s team promised to blackball any professional campaign aides who work for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, warning: “It’s a time for choosing.” Many evangelical Christian leaders, meanwhile, have not yet chosen. Their consciences tell them DeSantis could give them what they want in policy debates and on the culture-war front without the baggage of Trump’s misdeeds. But they are still terrified of their own Trump-adoring or -accommodating rank and file.
(Jacob Lupfer/Religion News Service 3/30/23)
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Griffen and Ravitch warn Floridians of dangers of DeSantis’ attack on public education
Baptist minister and retired Arkansas judge Wendell Griffen stood before an audience of faith leaders and education advocates in Tallahassee, Fla., March 9, pointed to his lapel and dared Gov. Ron DeSantis to have him apprehended for being politically and racially aware. “I wore a ‘woke’ button on purpose. I want to get arrested for being woke. I plead guilty to being woke. I want to be convicted of being woke,” Griffen said during a prayer breakfast sponsored by Pastors for Florida Children.
(Jeff Brumley/Baptist News Global 3/10/23)
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Baptist minister and retired Arkansas judge Wendell Griffen stood before an audience of faith leaders and education advocates in Tallahassee, Fla., March 9, pointed to his lapel and dared Gov. Ron DeSantis to have him apprehended for being politically and racially aware. “I wore a ‘woke’ button on purpose. I want to get arrested for being woke. I plead guilty to being woke. I want to be convicted of being woke,” Griffen said during a prayer breakfast sponsored by Pastors for Florida Children.
(Jeff Brumley/Baptist News Global 3/10/23)
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Ron DeSantis and His Christian Crusaders Are Stealing Trump’s Religious Thunder
“Donald Trump has to go,” conservative evangelical Everett Piper wrote for The Washington Times in November. “If he’s our nominee in 2024, we will get destroyed.” Some of her peers evidently agree. An unnamed evangelical leader told Vanity Fair last month that if Trump wins the GOP nomination, Republicans will “get crushed in the general.” Speaking with The Washington Post, Baptists for Biblical Values founder Brad Cranston disparaged the former president and said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had the “best chance.”
(Audrey Clare Farly/New Republic 1/30/23)
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“Donald Trump has to go,” conservative evangelical Everett Piper wrote for The Washington Times in November. “If he’s our nominee in 2024, we will get destroyed.” Some of her peers evidently agree. An unnamed evangelical leader told Vanity Fair last month that if Trump wins the GOP nomination, Republicans will “get crushed in the general.” Speaking with The Washington Post, Baptists for Biblical Values founder Brad Cranston disparaged the former president and said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had the “best chance.”
(Audrey Clare Farly/New Republic 1/30/23)
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