Florida's Latest News

Ron DeSantis endorses Ryan Elijah, citing trust earned as a local broadcast journalist

Gov. Ron DeSantis offered his support for Ryan Elijah a day after the Sanford Republican defeated U.S. Rep. Cory Mills in a GOP Primary. He cited Elijah’s broadcast career and trust voters place in local journalists.

The rapid endorsement of Elijah came after DeSantis publicly refused to back Mills as he seeks a third term. Mills this election cycle suffered a series of personal scandals involving a live-in girlfriend called police over a domestic incident in Washington, and another former ex who said the Congressman threatened to distribute intimate images.

“I said last week, I am not supporting Cory Mills. For obvious reasons,” DeSantis said.

“I think had Republican voters nominated him, we had a great chance of losing that seat to the Democratic candidate. That district is not — you know, it’s not Panama City, right, in terms of how red it is. You can look back in ‘22 and, you know, I probably won it big. But in terms of this environment, I thought it was a big risk.”

Mike Redondo thumps Primary foe, advances to HD 118 General Election against cash-strapped Dem

Miami Republican Rep. Mike Redondo dispatched his Primary challenger by nearly 70 percentage points Tuesday, clearing the way for a General Election race he is heavily favored to win.

The future Speaker took close to 85% of the vote in House District 118 over educator Marco Insua.

Redondo now faces Democrat Armando “A.C.” Castillo in the Nov. 3 General Election.

Redondo, a lawyer, was all but a shoo-in for victory Tuesday. Beyond enjoying the advantage of incumbency and $29,000 worth of staffing support from the Florida House Republican Campaign Committee, he has raised $2.45 million this cycle through his campaign account and political committee.

Most of his gains came from healthcare, real estate, tech and insurance interests. With five days to go before Election Day, he had $1.54 million remaining, including carry-over funds from prior election cycles.

Where Florida governor hopefuls Donalds and Jolly stand on key issues

One is a Trump-backed, third-term Republican U.S. representative who pledges to implement the president’s “MAGA” agenda. The other is a former Republican congressman turned Democrat who promises to hit pause on the construction of new data centers.

After sweeping victories from both of them in Florida’s primary election Tuesday night, Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly have set up a stark choice for Florida voters to decide which vision they want in the governor’s office.

The two are set to face off in the race for Florida governor on Nov. 3, giving voters a choice between a moderate Democrat and President Donald Trump’s anointed candidate.

The Miami Herald spoke with each of them in the days ahead of the election to discuss their ideas to address a few of Florida’s most vexing problems.

State plans to dish $70 million on grants to fight cancer, Ron DeSantis says

The state is now accepting applications for the next round of cancer research grants for the 2026-27 fiscal year as Florida plans to fund $70 million to fight the disease, Gov. Ron DeSantis said.

DeSantis announced the state is also awarding $60 million for grant research for the 2025-26 fiscal year for the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund.

“I don’t think there’s a single person in this state that either hasn’t had cancer or knows somebody in their family or their circle of friends that has been impacted by cancer,” DeSantis said Wednesday at a news conference Wednesday at AdventHealth Orlando.

First Lady Casey DeSantis was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 and was treated while the couple raised their young children, a story that the Governor brings up when he talks about Florida’s cancer research investment that’s inspired by his wife’s experience.