Ron DeSantis is the governor of Florida. So what’s next?
BOCA RATON, Fla. — The midterms were predicted to showcase a blue wave this year. However, much to the disappointment of Democrats across the state, Republican candidate Ron DeSantis was announced as the next governor of Florida on Nov. 17 following a contentious recount.
Although the midterms have never been an election with high turnout, with much unrest concerning the Trump administration, many voters — both young and old — found it necessary to express their given right by heading to the polls this year.
In fact, many voters across Florida found it so important that they headed to the polls early to cast their vote.
“This election might be the most important election in my life,” said Lisa Donnelly, a longtime Florida resident who cast her vote for Democratic candidate Andrew Gillum, about a week before Election Day.
“Florida Republicans have controlled the governorship and both houses of the state legislature for the past 20 years, and their handling of public education has been an abject failure,” said Donnelly.
Gillum, who had hoped to win the Florida gubernatorial race, spoke at length about the importance of public education when he made a stop at Florida Atlantic University on Oct. 25.
“We have to pay teachers what they are worth because they are doing the most difficult job that exists on Earth,” said Gillum, as the crowd erupted into cheers.
Although Gillum was met that day with continuous applause and even standing ovations from time to time, for Republican voters like Bob Weldon, Gillum wasn’t what Florida needed right now. Weldon cast his vote for DeSantis, whose agenda was closely allied with Pres. Trump.
Leading up to election day, Weldon expressed his concerns with Gillum if he were to win the state of Florida.
“Gillum would be a disaster for the State of Florida,” said Weldon.
“Florida will join states such as California and New York. Liberal policy will be the norm, spending will increase exponentially and crime will rise,” said Weldon. “Gillum believes that those who have wealth should share it with those who don’t, even if they are capable of earning a wage.”
Weldon clearly wasn’t alone in his concerns, as many Florida citizens cast their vote for DeSantis, electing him governor of Florida. However, the race was an extremely close one, reflecting Florida’s reputation as a swing state as well as “purple” — almost evenly divided between red and blue.
Although early voting proved to showcase a surge in turnout, the election results still rested almost entirely on voters who spent the day waiting in line on the day of the midterms to make their voices heard.
And many of those voters included high school students.
Across the country, students participated in the Walkout to Vote, both a protest and move to get young voters to the polls.
In a conversation with CNBC’s Abigail Hess, Katie Eder, a student activist and organizer for the Future Coalition, a youth-led organization calling on young people around the country to participate in the #WalkoutToVote, spoke on the light that was ignited within young voters across the country during this midterm season.
“Young people have found our voices and we’ve discovered the power of what happens when we come together for one common goal. The change is only going to continue from here,” said Eder.
While young voters like Eder have expressed optimism regardless of administration, slightly older voters like Donnelly made it a point to stay aware and tuned in.
“Our democracy cannot survive if we cannot make decisions based on truths, and this dishonesty is destroying the unity of our nation,” said Donnelly.
While disappointment in the election results have permeated throughout the state and the country, a blue wave made its way to the House, where Democrats currently have control of 219 seats, compared to the 193 seats held by Republicans as results continue to come in.
While what’s next for the state of Florida is unknown, many citizens can be hopeful that change is on the horizon with continued efforts to make their voices heard by contacting local officials, participating in active dialogue and getting out to vote.
DeSantis will be sworn in as governor on Jan. 8, 2019.
