Ron DeSantis is an American politician and attorney who is currently serving as the 46th Governor of Florida. He was born on September 14, 1978, in Jacksonville, Florida. DeSantis is a member of the Republican Party and has been in office since January 8, 2019. He has gained national prominence for his conservative policies and has been considered a potential candidate for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election.

Education and Early Career: Ron DeSantis attended Dunedin High School in Dunedin, Florida, and went on to graduate as valedictorian in 1997. He then earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University, where he graduated magna cum laude in 2001. DeSantis went on to study law at Harvard Law School, where he received his Juris Doctor degree in 2005.

After completing his education, DeSantis served as a JAG officer in the U.S. Navy from 2005 to 2010, attaining the rank of lieutenant. During his military service, he was deployed to Iraq as an adviser to a U.S. Navy SEAL commander. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Iraq.

Political Career: DeSantis began his political career in 2012 when he ran for the United States House of Representatives representing Florida’s 6th congressional district. He won the election and served in the House from 2013 to 2018. During his time in Congress, DeSantis aligned himself with the conservative Tea Party movement and was known for his strong support of limited government, fiscal conservatism, and a strong national defense.

In 2018, DeSantis ran for Governor of Florida in the Republican primary. He secured the endorsement of then-President Donald Trump, which helped propel him to victory in both the primary and the general election. As Governor, DeSantis has focused on a range of issues, including tax cuts, deregulation, education reform, and criminal justice reform. He has also been an outspoken critic of what he perceives as overreach by the federal government and has advocated for states’ rights.

Notable Policies and Initiatives: During his tenure as Governor, Ron DeSantis has implemented several notable policies and initiatives:

1. COVID-19 Response: DeSantis faced significant attention and criticism for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He resisted implementing strict lockdown measures and emphasized the importance of individual freedom and personal responsibility. DeSantis prioritized keeping businesses open and schools operating in-person.

2. Education: DeSantis has focused on improving Florida’s education system. He has advocated for expanding school choice options, including voucher programs and scholarships for low-income students. Additionally, he has pushed for increased funding for teacher salaries and incentives for high-performing schools.

   DeSantis signed “The Parental Rights in Education bill” (also known as House Bill 1557 –  2022, passed in Florida and took effect from July 1, 2022).  Here are some key provisions of the bill:

   – It requires district school boards to adopt procedures that comply with certain provisions of law for notifying a student’s parent of specified information.
   – It requires these procedures to reinforce the fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding the upbringing and control of their children.
   – It prohibits school districts from adopting procedures or student support forms that prohibit school district personnel from notifying a parent about specified information or that encourage a student to withhold such information from their parent.
   – It prohibits school district personnel from discouraging or prohibiting parental notification and involvement in critical decisions affecting a student’s mental, emotional, or physical well-being.
   – It prohibits classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in certain grade levels.
   – It requires school districts to notify parents of healthcare services.
   – It authorizes a parent to bring an action against a school district to obtain a declaratory judgment.
   – It provides for additional awards of injunctive relief, damages, and reasonable attorney fees and court costs to certain parents​​.

3. Environmental Protection: DeSantis has taken steps to address environmental issues in Florida. He has allocated significant funding for Everglades restoration and combating water pollution. He also signed legislation to ban offshore drilling near Florida’s coast.

4. Criminal Justice Reform: DeSantis has been a proponent of criminal justice reform, particularly focusing on reducing recidivism rates and helping former inmates reintegrate into society. He has supported measures to expand vocational and educational programs in prisons and provide job opportunities for individuals with criminal records.

5. Election Integrity: DeSantis has signed legislation aimed at enhancing election security and ensuring the integrity of Florida’s elections. The laws include measures such as voter ID requirements, restrictions on mail-in voting, and increased oversight of ballot drop boxes.