Daniel Perez describes Ron DeSantis as ’emotional and upset,’ but says relationship has been ‘cordial’

House Speaker Daniel Perez isn’t holding back after Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized him and his Republican colleagues. But he also says he sees DeSantis as a “friend” and a “partner.”

In remarks in recent days, DeSantis blasted “petty” legislators for taking away U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody’s office space in the Florida Capitol, considering “carbon sequestration” instead of “open carry,” and overriding vetoes on local projects DeSantis nixed last year.

On Thursday, Perez had his say, saying the Governor has become “emotional” recently, but that they’ve generally had “cordial” conversations that usually “end up in some sort of agreement,” even if it’s to “disagree.”

“It’s interesting because we’ve spoken many times over the last several weeks, and every time we speak, the meetings are cordial. The conversations are cordial. Any concern that he’s had, we’ve been able to answer. We haven’t surprised him with anything. Everything he is upset about, he knows in advance,” Perez said.

The Speaker recognizes the tone change, but he’s not sure why it’s happened.

“For some reason, it seems the last week or so, the Governor has been a little more emotional and has been upset and has gone on his videos to voice his opinion in another way. He has every right to do so,” Perez said.

“I consider him a friend; I consider him a partner. But if there’s a specific question that he has that he needs an answer to, my door has always been open and I’m always open to having a conversation on any issue that he may disagree with.”

The two last talked on Monday, when the Governor gave a 20-minute speech to the Republican Party of Florida and accused Perez of being too closely linked to trial lawyer John Morgan.

Perez defended current tort bills, saying trial lawyers aren’t backing them. He also rejected DeSantis’ claim that the House is “favoring the Democrats,” saying the goal is big-tent conservatism.

“There is nothing wrong with the tent of the conservative movement growing,” Perez said.

“I believe in the conservative movement. I think that’s in the best interests of this country. President Trump believes it’s in the best interest of this country. Because there are Democrats that are starting to want to join the tent of the Republican Party, of the conservative movement, that doesn’t make us liberal. That doesn’t make us RINOs.”

Perez pointed out that DeSantis had picked career Democrats Jared Moskowitz and Dave Kerner for roles in his administration.