Lost Hope? The DeSantis Ramp up Support for Embattled Hope Florida
The optics are just plain bad. When the news broke that the DeSantis administration used $10 million from First Lady DeSantis' Hope Florida to pay for political operations during the 2024 elections, the proverbial political excrement hit the fan.
Governor DeSantis immediately took a defensive position and ran cover for the actions of then-Chief of Staff James Uthmeier.
The negative press that Hope Florida has received appears to have influenced Mrs. DeSantis's decision to announce her 2026 gubernatorial campaign, possibly leading to the overall decision not to run for the job.
Both DeSantis's have been teasing the idea of a third DeSantis term in office, with a potential Casey DeSantis run for governor, but lately, all they appear to be doing is defending and promoting Hope Florida.
Thank you @HopeFlorida Navigators for your tireless hard work helping vulnerable Floridians across our state.
Every day, these Navigators approach their mission with empathy and passion—helping to guide individuals in need along their unique paths to prosperity
We appreciate all of our Hope Navigators for their dedication to provide help and hope," stated Mrs. DeSantis on "X."
Has the Hope Florida fiasco marked the end of the DeSantis dynasty?
Word is that a gubernatorial announcement (if it comes) will come after the 2025 legislative session concludes.
Stay tuned.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz: Immigrants built South Florida. We cannot abandon our neighbors to be snatched off the streets and shipped to a foreign gulag.
I’ll always advocate for legal immigration pathways and support due process rights.
Rep. Brian Mast:Â National Police Week brought officers from across America to Washington, including from St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach Counties, and I was proud to thank them for all they do to keep our communities safe, while we also honored those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Mario Diaz-Balart: As the proud Representative for FL26 and a staunch supporter of our law enforcement, I have consistently worked to deliver federal funds back to our community and am proud to have secured a total of +$8M in direct federal funding during fiscal years 2023 & 2024.
Report: Florida Adds Nearly 22,000 Private Sector Jobs in April—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines
Donalds Slams Former FBI Director James Comey over Seashell 'Threat'—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines
Haridopolos Introduces First Bill Encouraging Small Business Growth—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich
Ex-NFL Player Arrested in Florida Sheriff's Massive 'Fool Around and Find Out' Operation—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—A retired NFL player was among the 255 alleged criminals swept up in a Florida sheriff's massive "Fool Around and Find Out" operation...
Steube, Moody Introduce Bill Offering Tax Relief to Crime & Disaster Victims—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Greg Steube and Senator Ashley Moody are introducing legislation to offer tax relief to victims of cybercrime, robbery...
Brian Hodgers Endorsed by Florida Police Benevolent Association in HD 32 Special Election—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Republican Brian Hodgers was recently endorsed by the Florida Police Police Benevolent Association in his bid for State...
Dunn Discusses Indo-Pacific Security Strategy Against China—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Neal Dunn discussed the Indo-Pacific security strategy against China in a recent Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party hearing. Rep...
Republican Financial Planner Jon Maples Runs for HD 87 Seat, Eyes Trump Endorsement—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines—Jon Maples, a Republican with a 17-year career in finance, is running for Florida House District 87 in Palm Beach County. Maples...
Bilirakis Celebrates Four Proposals Making it Into Big Beautiful Bill—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative Gus Bilirakis was able to have four of his policy proposals included in the so-called "big beautiful bill," saying, "I'm proud of the common..."
Former FBI Director Comey Could Face Jail Time After Alleged Threat to Trump—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont—Former Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey could face jail time after investigations were launched into social media messages...
Salazar to Reintroduce 'Dignity' Act as Citizenship Debate Heats Up—By The Floridian's Mateo Guillamont
Florida Supreme Court Orders 2-Year Suspension for Orlando Lawyer Who Beat his Wife—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Though the Florida Bar wanted to suspend an Orlando lawyer for 90 days after he fractured his wife's nose and threatened to kill her...
Miami Young Republicans Endorsements Declared Invalid by State and National GOP Affiliates—By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Endorsements recently issued by the Miami Young Republicans are not valid and do not represent the official position...
U.S. Oil Companies Face May 27 Exit from Venezuela as China Deepens Influence—By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—As the May 27 deadline approaches for U.S. and European energy companies to cease operations in Venezuela, Chinese firms are rushing...
Jose Regalado Skips Shenandoah Debate While Ralph Rosado Shows Up for Voters—By The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—In a telling moment of contrast, City Commission candidate Jose Regalado was a no-show at a candidate forum hosted this week by the...
Rutherford Questions Duffy on Autonomous Vehicle Development—By The Floridian's Grayson Bakich—Representative John Rutherford spoke with Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy in a recent House Appropriations hearing, asking about the United States'...
Study: Orlando Named top Summer Travel Destination for 2025—By The Floridian's Michael Costeines
Floridian Fluoride is No More: DeSantis Signs Ban on Fluoridated Water into Law—By The Floridian's Liv Caputo—Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a sweeping bill on Thursday banning fluoridated water in Florida, condemning cities for imposing the "forced medication..."
The Last Squeeze is published by  by Javier Manjarres, Liv Caputo, and Daniel Molina
