Pro-Life Governor Ron DeSantis Makes Presidential Campaign Official

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   May 24, 2023   |   5:21PM   |   Washington, DC

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made it official today – filing the legal paperwork necessary to run for the Republican nomination for president.

The FEC filing comes ahead of his highly-anticipated presidential announcement at 6 p.m. Wednesday on Twitter Spaces with CEO Elon Musk.

Here’s more:

The governor has been traveling to key early primary states, touting his book “The Courage To Be Free” and pitching his “Florida Blueprint” agenda. DeSantis has already secured key endorsements from state legislators in Iowa, New Hampshire and Florida, as well as top Republicans in Congress like Reps. Chip Roy of Texas, Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Bob Good of Virginia.

On a private phone call last week held by Never Back Down, the political action committee tasked with drafting DeSantis into the race, DeSantis indicated that he is the only Republican contender who can win the GOP primary and beat President Joe Biden in a general election.

“You have basically three people at this point that are credible in this whole thing,” DeSantis said. “Biden, Trump and me. And I think of those three, two have a chance to get elected president — Biden and me, based on all the data in the swing states, which is not great for the former president and probably insurmountable because people aren’t going to change their view of him.”

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DeSantis’ campaign released its first campaign video shortly afterwards.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser confirmed to LifeNews that DeSantis is solidly pro-life.

“Ron DeSantis has continually delivered for the people of Florida, transforming the Sunshine State from a late-term abortion haven to one of the best states in the nation for unborn children and mothers. His record proves that going on offense works to defeat pro-abortion extremists, and he does not back down from a worthy fight, whether it is standing up for parents’ right to protect their children or safeguarding unborn babies when their hearts are beating and when they can feel pain,” she said.

She added: “In the 2024 presidential contest, it is critical that pro-life candidates show bold leadership and lay out a clear policy platform in contrast to their opponents who support abortion on demand up until birth, paid for by taxpayers. The pro-life movement is looking for a national defender of life who will proudly advocate a minimum national standard to protect unborn children from painful abortions at least by 15 weeks – a standard backed by 72% of Americans – and who will work tirelessly to build consensus and gather the votes necessary in Congress. We look forward to DeSantis and all contenders further outlining their pro-life vision and platform as the primary unfolds.”

At a Christian event on Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis defended signing the heartbeat bill protecting babies from abortions. DeSantis, who is expected to launch a presidential campaign soon, signed the Heartbeat Protection Act on April 13 to protect babies with beating hearts from abortions.

Speaking at the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) convention in Orlando, Florida, Desantis said,”One of the things I’m most proud of is that the state of Florida stands unequivocally in defense of the family and in defense of our children and we have done more to protect children than any state in the country.”

“Just a few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to sign the heartbeat bill which is the strongest pro-life bill Florida has seen in its modern history. We got it done,” the governor added. “When we are acting to protect an unborn child that has a detectable heartbeat, that is humane, that is not harsh – that is the right thing to do.”

Over the weekend, DeSantis spoke during the Florida Family Policy Council dinner gala and defended the pro-life law there as well.

“We believe that everybody counts, everybody is special. And our Heartbeat Protection Act shows that we say what we mean and we mean what we say,” DeSantis said.

The governor and likely presidential candidate called the pro-life law “a landmark piece of legislation for the state.” But DeSantis recognizes “there’s much more to do” to protect babies from abortion in Florida and nationwide.

Last week DeSantis also said he was proud to sign the pro-life bill.

“Protecting an unborn child when there’s the detectable heartbeat is something that almost, probably, 99% of pro lifers support,” DeSantis said. “I signed the bill. I was proud to do it. He won’t answer whether he would sign it or not.”

“It’s something that other states like Iowa under Governor Kim Reynolds have enacted,” he added.

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The law would save tens of thousands of lives annually and provide $25 million in aid to women and families.

DeSantis is expected to make his presidential bid official as soon as this week. The Florida governor has been expected to make this announcement for months and, now that the Florida legislative session is over, DeSantis is apparently ready to dive into the presidential race.

DeSantis is expected to file Federal Election Commission paperwork declaring his candidacy this Thursday to coincide with a donor meeting in Miami.

After that, a more formal announcement is expected the week following. Here’s more on what’s ahead:

In early March, Ken Cuccinelli, who previously served as the acting deputy secretary of Homeland Security under Trump, announced the launch of the Never Back Down PAC to urge DeSantis to run for president. The PAC has raised millions of dollars and may soon receive more than $80 million from a state committee DeSantis recently gave up control of, according to the report.

Earlier reporting also indicated DeSantis is very close to launching a bid after his political operation began moving out of its Tallahassee offices and into a new location on Monday, according to CNBC. The move will likely cost more than $5,000, which would trigger a 15-day countdown for the team to file a Statement of Candidacy with the Federal Election Commission.

That same day, DeSantis’s press secretary, Bryan Griffin, announced his exit from the governor’s office to “pursue other avenues of helping to deliver the governor’s success to our country.”

It had widely been rumored that DeSantis would enter the race at the conclusion of Florida’s legislative session this month — a wildly successful session that included the creation of the largest school-choice program in the country, a ban on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, a ban on DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives in universities, and an expansion of the use of mandatory E-Verify in the state, all while cutting taxes by $2 billion.

DeSantis has pleased pro-life advocates over the years – first with his 100% pro-life voting record as a member of Congress and then signing multiple pro-life bills as governor. Last year DeSantis signed a bill to ban abortions after 15 weeks. That measure came before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and DeSantis signed a followup bill this year to protect babies from abortions when their hearts begin beating. And he recently signed a bill protecting doctors and nurses from being force to participate in abortions