‘Two more years’ — or Four? DeSantis re-elected in a landslide victory
Gov. DeSantis’ win elicits cheers and concern across Florida
By Kendall Clark
BOCA RATON, Fla.– Three days since the 2022 midterm elections, Democrats saw key wins across the country. However, Floridans are watching from the sidelines as incumbent Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis was announced as the winner, trumping Democratic challenger Charlie Crist just minutes after polls closed in Florida’s Panhandle.
Election after election, the used to be swing state Florida is turning a darker shade of red. Counties like Palm Beach and Miami-Dade that are historically blue went red this time around as well.
“I love Miami-Dade,” said Barabra Direnzo, 53, a Deerfield Beach resident. “They were a key factor in making this happen.” Direnzo was watching the polls come in Tuesday night at O’Brien’s Irish Pub in Boca Raton. O’Briens appeared to have a more right-leaning crowd that night. The glasses clinking, the cheers and hoorays when DeSantis’s win was announced were as loud as if a favorite football team had just scored the winning touchdown.
Crist, a political underdog who was unable to match DeSantis’ campaign coffers and growing national profile, couldn’t swing a win.
It is typical in midterm elections to see more wins for the party opposite the president because people are often dissatisfied and in Florida, and that held true. But, for the first time in 40 years, the Democratic Party had the least amount of state house seats flipped in a midterm election.
Major issues like inflation, high energy and housing costs, taxes, abortion access and gun rights were in the front of voters’ minds when casting their ballots.
DeSantis has been applauded by his supporters for the way he has handled most of these issues, he made the forefront of his campaign keeping Florida free and all around lowering costs. On the other hand, opponent Crist made these the forefront of his campaign, defeating DeSantis and keeping abortion legal.
“I am worried for the next four years,” said Lia Schlink, 20, a Democrat and out-of-state student at Florida Atlantic University. “Once I graduate, I was considering moving to Florida full time. But now that Ron DeSantis has been reelected, I am rethinking that decision. As a bisexual, woman of color I don’t feel safe or free in his Florida.”
It is worth noting that during DeSantis’ victory speech on election night, crowd members could be heard chanting “two more years,” rather than four more years.
Winning the gubernatorial position for a second time strengthen DeSantis’ hold on the Republican party and encourages a probable run for president in 2024. He said himself that voters had “rewritten the political map.”
In at least the next two years, there are three main things we can expect the governor to focus on: education, economy and public safety. DeSantis promised to reduce tolls by 50% and take taxes off essential baby items like diapers, baby wipes, and cribs. It can also be expected to see more legislation restricting a woman’s access to an abortion.
Democrats, though upset, have not publicly challenged the election results.
“Thank you all for raising your voices with me, for standing up for our freedoms and our democracy,” Crist tweeted on Nov. 9.
The fate of the state is once again in DeSantis’ hands.
