Ron DeSantis is struggling to maintain power in Florida following presidential campaign flop

TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Gov. Ron DeSantis — whose pugnacious brand of politics made him a national Republican star — is now finding himself against the ropes at home.DeSantis pulled back a contentious plan this week to add golf courses and hotels at some Florida state parks. The governor acted after his administration’s “Great Outdoors Initiative” faced a withering blast of criticism from across the political spectrum, including from one-time GOP allies who may run for governor when he’s out of office.

The hits follow DeSantis ending his presidential campaign after coming in a distant second in the Iowa caucuses. Both political supporters and detractors are watching closely to gauge how this will impact an anticipated run for president in 2028. Continued losses in his home state over the two years of his term-limited tenure would dampen his prospects.

DeSantis for his part dismissed as “chatter” any talk about losing his grip on power. He said Republicans have supported his agenda because they agreed with him taking a stand on issues such as immigration and gender identity.
But the presidential race tested the limits of his brand. Trump and his allies torched DeSantis until he got out of the race and endorsed the former president, which has had some lingering after effects

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/30/ron-desantis-florida-power-struggle-00176783