Renzo Downey
Florida and the state’s capital city will ring in the start of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ second term Tuesday, heralding a new chapter in Florida the Governor’s rise in national politics.
Four years after DeSantis stepped into the Governor’s Mansion, he and Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez will be sworn in again in a two-day inauguration ceremony that draws from the Governor’s rallying cry for the “Free State of Florida.”
While the Swearing-In Ceremony is the lone event made public, DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis and the Republican Party of Florida are also hosting a series of private events around the inauguration, none of which organizers have placed on the public schedule.
For the second inauguration in a row, DeSantis is forgoing the traditional inaugural parade for a more intimate schedule of events open to donors and special guests of the First Family.
Festivities started Monday evening with a private candlelight dinner, where tickets began at $50,000.
“Governor DeSantis has chosen a lower key inauguration, where the focus will be on his speech outlining the conservative agenda he will deliver for Florida, that just re-elected him by record margins,” noted Evan Power, chairman of the Leon County Republican Party.
On Tuesday, DeSantis will be sworn in at noon alongside his family on the steps of the Historic Capitol. He will address Floridians, outlining his vision for his second term.
Capping off the two days of celebrations, key supporters will honor the start of the new term at the Governor’s Inaugural Ball in the Donald J. Tucker Civic Center Tuesday evening.
The First Lady will also host “A Toast to One Million Mamas” at the Governor’s Mansion following the Swearing-In Ceremony, which harkens back to her “Mamas for DeSantis” campaign in support of her husband’s parental rights agenda.
Unlike in 2018, when DeSantis defeated former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum by less than half a percentage point, voters this past November affirmed DeSantis and his “Free State” agenda by nearly 20 points — the widest margin for a Florida Governor in 40 years. GOP supermajorities in both houses of the Legislature also grant the Governor significant power to implement his agenda, which so far includes targeting teacher union dues and advocating for the permitless carry of some firearms.
While the inaugural celebration takes place in Florida’s capital city, its implications extend beyond the borders of the Sunshine State. The nation’s eyes will fixate on the Governor’s next moves as many Republicans look for an alternative presidential candidate to former President Donald Trump.
6 comments
Daniela Patterson
January 3, 2023 at 6:43 am
Sad day for florida..
Boaz
January 3, 2023 at 8:21 am
There are 49 other states in which to reside. Vote with your feet. That’s why I moved to Florida to get away from the authoritarian leftists of the Northeast. If you dislike Florida simply for political reasons or ideological considerations, consider California, New York, New Jersey, etc. True, the taxes are much higher in those states along with draconian regulations; but you may be happier to pay higher and higher taxes and reside in a jurisdiction where almost every activity is heavily regulated by the government. It’s good to have choices, but not everybody likes choices. Remember, paradise is not for everyone.
Bill
January 3, 2023 at 10:13 am
Just curious but what draconian regulations are you referring to? I’ve lived all over the country but I find the Florida government is much more up in everybody’s business that what I ever saw in the northeast.
Boaz
January 3, 2023 at 4:25 pm
I resided in the Northeast for more than 4 consecutive decades and even served on a progressive Democrat’s gubernatorial transition team. I know of that of which I speak. You’re simply obtuse or disengious. Simply put, if you don’t like Florida for political reasons or ideological considerations, vote with your feet. It seems as though you had, and you chose Florida. Intriguing, to say the least, as to why you’re even here. Enjoy paradise.
Ronald Crump
January 3, 2023 at 7:06 am
Speaking for all of us left Democrats this inaugeration is just another reason for our heads to explode. If only we had elected Andrew Gillum 4 years ago just think how delishiously sick we would all be at this time. Sure we would all be on a twisted fast track to heII and the state coffers totally bankrupt by now but thats how we roll as Democrats. Sigh maybe in 4 more years we can put a leftist in charge.
Bill
January 3, 2023 at 7:50 am
You don’t really get nuance do you? Most people are unaffiliated, most democrats are pretty much centrist as are most republicans. There is certainly a minority on both sides who are hard core socialists or white supremacist neo-nazi’s but net-net, most folks just want to live and let live. The issue with desantis is that in the absence of any meaningful policy ideas, he just plays the culture war card which does nothing other than generate ad revenue for fox news and while nobody is looking, he’ll find creative ways to give tax breaks to people who are already rich.
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