* Gov. Ron DeSantis raised $105 million by the end of March for his re-election. That’s a Florida political record. The bottom line: going against Disney and “lockdown” mentalities and promoting his “anti-woke” brand are paying off. And no surprise–given DeSantis scenarios for 2024–that a good chunk of his war chest comes from donors who live outside the state. Also no surprise that DeSantis benefits from a ubiquitous media presence as he travels the state holding news conferences that push his brand beyond Florida. DeSantis’ Democratic gubernatorial opponents (Charlie Crist, Nikki Fried and Annette Taddeo) collectively raised $16 million by the end of March. Big money is especially helpful in Florida, a state that’s expensive because of its multiple, large media markets for TV ads.
* Under campaign finance law, Ron DeSantis would not be allowed to transfer money directly from his state campaign committee into accounts used for a federal race such as president.
* “Trust me. Under no circumstances will Disney not pay its fair share of taxes. Under no circumstances will Disney not pay its debts.”–Trustworthy Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
* The Sunshine State is still one of the 47 states that allow households and businesses that produce power to sell it back to the grid at a set rate.
* No surprise that Gov. DeSantis’ choice for education commissioner is feisty school-choice proponent Manny Diaz, the Republican state senator from Hialeah. No, the wedge issue that is now education won’t be changing for the better—even though Richard Corcoran is no longer commissioner.