The gutter politics war being waged between the presidential campaigns of Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and former President Donald Trump (R) has been nothing less than the biggest spectacle of the 2024 Republican presidential primary race. The America First Policy Institute is a group closely associated with Donald Trump in terms of its policy positions and outward appeal toward Trump voters. But things shook up when the group expanded into Florida and quickly gathered prominent Florida Republicans in their corner.
The Florida chapter of America First Policy Institute announced that former state Attorney General Pam Bondi (R-FL) will lead its Florida chapter.
"At a time when our communities value safety, opportunity, and freedom more than ever before, the commitment of the America First Policy Institute to Florida demonstrates a determination few entities are willing to consider these days," said Bondi. "As we look to better the lives of all Floridians, I’m honored to be able to contribute to AFPI’s efforts to help the state continue to flourish and further the America First movement."
"America First Policies proved to work at the national level, and they are working in dozens of states across our country,” said Brooke Rollins, AFPI’s president and CEO.“From high crime rates and homelessness to businesses and families struggling to make ends meet, we believe now is the time for the people to demand proven policies that can get the state back on the right track."
Rollins also stated that Florida is already a model for conservative governance, but the new chapter wants to "make it better and continue to help Florida model for the country what fighting for freedom looks like under an America-First banner."
While the move may look uniting to conservatives, it is crystal clear that Trump and DeSantis have two different visions of what conservative governance means to them. With Pam Bondi seemingly joining Trump's circle, Team DeSantis should now be noting Florida as a possible toss up state in the upcoming Republican primary election.
