Sunshine Summit Portends Republican Renaissance

The Republican Party of Florida’s (RPOF) Sunshine Summit on July 22-23 suggested that the state will be experiencing its own red wave this election year. The mood at the event was energized optimism, just what conservatives need in the lead-up to the 2022 congressional elections. Featured was a who’s who of movers and shakers in the state’s GOP, but nobody brought down the house like Gov. Ron DeSantis, who gave the keynote address at the Victory Dinner on Saturday evening.

Sunshine Summit Signals GOP Success

Republican congressional candidates were in attendance, and there were four primary debates. All would-be lawmakers read the room and seemed to channel what the base wanted to hear. They affirmed their commitment to school choice, state’s rights, and term limits. But noteworthy is that very few members of the activist media were allowed to cover the summit. DeSantis previously indicated he did not want the press to assist the Democratic Party by using “gotcha questions” to derail the proceedings.

Radio talk show host Mark Levin hosted one of the debates, making plain that he intended for conservative voters to send non-establishment types to the capital. In one exchange, he asked a candidate how supporters would know she would not become “the next Liz Cheney.” He also queried hopefuls about pursuing the ouster of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who has come under fire for mishandling the migrant crisis.

DeSantis also grilled congressional wannabes about how they would vote if given a sweeping budget bill only 24 hours before it was time to pull the lever. What about term limits and what they would do if Dr. Anthony Fauci were still in his position next year. The candidates were largely in agreement on the issues, which could mean that those seeking higher office will have to convince the base that they will do what they promised if elected.

DeSantis Made Waves

DeSantis could hardly utter a word without being swamped by enthusiastic applause and cheers from those in attendance. During his speech, he continually upbraided the current occupant of the White House, whom he irreverently referred to as “Brandon.” After wishing the president good health after his COVID-19 diagnosis, the governor quickly went on the offensive. “We should all extend our best wishes to President Joe Biden for a speedy recovery from his bout with COVID,” DeSantis began. “And hopefully, the United States will have a speedy recovery from its bout with Joe Biden.”

The governor touted the Sunshine State’s refusal to bow to those pushing lockdowns and onerous COVID restrictions. “When you look at what we’ve done in Florida, we have stood up to the media, we have stood up to people like Fauci, and we have stood up to Brandon himself to keep Florida free.”

DeSantis also elicited a roar from the audience when he recounted his feud with the Walt Disney Company over the Parental Rights in Education bill, which prohibits K-12 teachers from instructing kids seven years old and under on gender identity and sexuality. He brought up his decision to strip the company of its special taxing district and declared that “big companies based in California do not run the state of Florida.”

The governor also highlighted the importance of pushing the conservative agenda in the federal government if the GOP retakes Congress. “In Florida, we don’t just talk, we do. We get things done. We are not afraid to use our authority to advance the public interest and to protect people’s freedom,” he said. “And so, if and when Republicans take majorities in the House or the Senate, we need to see some action to hold Biden and his minions accountable for our open border and his dereliction of duty.”

Of course, while the event was focused on the congressional elections in November, the underlying theme was 2024. The topic did not come up on stage often, but there were ongoing questions about DeSantis’ potential presidential aspirations even while he is running for re-election as governor. The fact that former President Donald Trump has not yet announced whether he intends to seek another term in the White House lends an air of mystery to this conversation. Will DeSantis primary Trump if he runs? If Trump doesn’t run, will DeSantis take his shot? What about a Trump/DeSantis ticket?

For now, there is no telling how the field will look for 2024. But if the energy at the Sunshine Summit is any indication, Florida will be more solidly red in the years to come. And it might just set the standard for other red states to follow.

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