Florida's Latest News

DeSantis nears presidential campaign launch far from peak popularity but signaling a new readiness to take on Trump

DeSantis is preparing to launch his White House bid before the end of the month, according to two sources with knowledge of the planning. His political operation is currently moving into a new headquarters in Tallahassee while a super PAC closely aligned with the Florida Republican builds out a national campaign from Atlanta.

He is poised to enter the race with as much money behind him, if not more, than anyone in the race not named Trump, with the intention of breaking fundraising records on the day he enters the race, CNN previously reported. Turnout at his events, many in deeply red parts of the country where Trump has dominated, is notably strong and his appearance at local GOP fundraisers across the country helped raise more than $4.2 million in two months. Meanwhile, the buildout of the campaign has taken place for weeks absent a candidate, and though Trump currently holds a solid lead in GOP primary polls, DeSantis survived the onslaught of mudslinging without losing his status as the former president’s top rival.

“The infrastructure is in place ready to launch,” said Nick Iarossi, a Tallahassee lobbyist close to DeSantis. “There will be no ramp up. Everyone is anxious to get started and push back against attacks and narratives. But you can’t count someone out who hasn’t started. Trump tried to kill him in the cradle and that didn’t work.”

DeSantis to gather top donors as presidential launch looms

Ron DeSantis has summoned top financial backers to Miami next week, in what is the latest indication the Florida governor is on the precipice of launching his long-awaited presidential campaign.

The invitations — which were described by two people familiar with the discussions — request that donors be present from May 24-26. By law, DeSantis can not directly receive or solicit contributions for a presidential campaign unless he has formally launched his bid.

A DeSantis spokesperson declined to comment.

DeSantis has spent months laying the groundwork for a campaign, including traveling the country to promote a new book, “The Courage to be Free,” and has made stops in the early nominating states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. On Saturday, he made multiple stops in Iowa.

‘We made history tonight’: Donna Deegan becomes Jacksonville’s first female mayor

The city of Jacksonville picked Democrat Donna Deegan to take over as Jacksonville’s mayor Tuesday making her the first female to lead the River City.

“We made history tonight folks,” Donna Deegan, Jacksonville’s newly-elected mayor said. “It is a brand new day for Jacksonville, Florida.”

The race was heated between Deegan and Republican Daniel Davis, who Deegan said called her and offered his support after the results were announced.

“I just received a very nice phone call from Daniel Davis who said to me that he is rooting for me and he will work for me to create a city that works for all of us,” Deegan said in front of a crowd of her supporters. “He is ready to work together and I’m ready to work with him and everybody else who loves this city to make this city everything it can be.”

Jobs, tourism in Florida at risk if debt limit deal falters

As negotiations in Washington continue over the debt ceiling, Moody's Analytics is issuing a warning, saying states reliant on tourism, like Florida, could lose many jobs if the impasse continues.

This comes after the Space Coast's tourist tax broke $3 million for the first time in March, marking the 24th consecutive month of growth.

Moody's Analytics notes in their most recent debt limit scenario update Florida will likely be disproportionately affected due to being "more sensitive to the ups and downs in the business cycle." 

The report goes on to say, "Tourist and and business travel-dependent states such as Arizona, Florida and Nevada will experience sharp job losses."