State, local leaders react to news of Gov. Ron DeSantis suspending presidential campaign

ORLANDO, Fla. – Central Florida leaders from both sides of the aisle reacted to the Sunday announcement that Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended his Republican presidential campaign.

DeSantis suspended the campaign with an announcement on X, formerly Twitter, the same platform where he originally announced his campaign in May of 2023.

“It’s clear to me that a majority of Republican primary voters want to give Donald Trump another chance,” DeSantis said in the straight-to-camera video, delivered in a cheerful tone, through forced smiles.

[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]

State and local leaders were quick to share their messages on social media criticizing the campaign or responding with a united message behind former President Donald Trump.

Rep. Darren Soto, D-Kissimmee, was quick to criticize DeSantis’ presidential campaign with a post on X that read in part, “Worst. Presidential Campaign. Ever.”

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis congratulated DeSantis for his state leadership and what he described as running a strong race.

Nikki Fried, the Florida Democratic Party chair, responded with several quotes in a news release.

“Ron DeSantis’s presidential campaign is a dead, rotten carcass on the side of the road,” Fried said.

The release went on to say in part, “Now that he’s finally done chasing a pipe dream, Florida Democrats are fully focused on ending the Republican supermajority in our legislature, fighting his racist, misogynist, homophobic, and transphobic policies at every turn, and keeping an increasingly dangerous Donald Trump away from office by re-electing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in November.”

Despite a very public feud, DeSantis announced that he would endorse former President Donald Trump, saying former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley represented “the old Republican guard of yesteryear — a repackaged form of warmed-over corporatism.”

Trump released his own statement, saying he was honored to receive the endorsement.

“Nikki Haley is the candidate of the globalists and Democrats who will do everything to stop the America First movement. From higher taxes, to decimating Social Security and Medicare, and to open borders, she represents the views of Democrats more than the views of Republicans,” Trump’s statement went on to say.

Andrew Spear, the President of the Florida Education Association, chimed in on X saying in part, “Voters want strong public schools & they want someone who supports workers freedoms & ability to pay the bills.”

The Republican Party of Florida shared DeSantis’ video message where he announced the end of his presidential campaign.

“We are proud of our governor and all he’s accomplished for our state and look forward to his continued leadership in the Sunshine State,” their statement read in part.

State Rep. Anna Eskamani released her own statement on social media, saying “Ron DeSantis, a man who built his entire campaign on attacking & demonizing already marginalized communities, has finally suspended his failing Presidential campaign.”

Sunday’s announcement leaves two candidates actively campaigning for the nomination: Trump and Haley. But on the ballot for the Florida Republican Presidential Primary, you’ll see DeSantis’ name.

That’s because Secretary of State Cord Byrd published the list of candidates for Florida’s March 19 primary back in December. This was necessary so that county supervisors of elections could get ballots ready for overseas and military voters.

Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: