The hidden cost of Florida Gov. DeSantis’ immigration fight with fellow Republicans | Opinion

Florida politics is in a state of upheaval, driven by the ambitions and maneuverings of Gov. Ron DeSantis. His recent actions have dominated headlines, but they raise a crucial question: Is he prioritizing governance or political positioning? As DeSantis juggles key appointments and legislative battles, the effectiveness of his ability to effectively lead the state is coming under scrutiny.

Within the past month, DeSantis has appointed Attorney General Ashley Moody to the U.S. Senate, filling Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s vacated seat, called the Legislature to a special session, and fought with fellow Republicans in the state Legislature over said special session. Ultimately, lawmakers gaveled in and 20 minutes later ended the special session, only to then announce their own special session where they introduced their own immigration bill.

The past few weeks have been a flurry of activity and air time for DeSantis. Meanwhile, DeSantis has still not filled the attorney general position despite having announced he would appoint his chief of staff James Uthmeier for the role. This cabinet position is one of two DeSantis will need to fill. Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis will leave his post on March 31, 2025 to run for Congress, leaving another open position.

Amid these political battles and personnel decisions, DeSantis must also focus on governing. DeSantis must continue to work for Floridians and handle the business of the state, such as working on his annual proposed budget to present to the Legislature in March, an important responsibility which requires both leadership and attention. Yet, instead of prioritizing the state’s needs, DeSantis appears more focused on making headlines — appearing on Fox News and tweeting infographics comparing his immigration bill to what he calls a “watered-down smoke-and-mirrors bill” presented by the Republican-led Legislature. On Tuesday, lawmakers said they strengthened their bill after consulting with the White House.

The duty of the governor is to govern and DeSantis is spending a lot of his time with publicity stunts. We recognize his aspirations extend beyond Tallahassee. However, Floridians reelected him by an overwhelming majority to serve as their governor, not to pick fights and take his grievances to Fox News.

It’s time for DeSantis to get back to work instead of trying to curry favor with President Donald Trump. The more he digs in, the less power he will wield going forward and the more he’ll be remembered as a lame duck.

DeSantis has excelled at growing his enemies list due to his superfluous pursuit of political battles. However, for those he sought to sideline — such as Susie Wiles and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson — his tactics have only fueled their rise.

Wiles, after being ostracized and publicly humiliated by DeSantis after serving as a a senior advisor on his 2018 gubernatorial campaign, is now Trump’s chief of staff. DeSantis’ relationship with the president, who in 2018 helped him go from a largely unknown congressman to Florida’s governor, also soured after they faced off in the 2024 GOP presidential primary.

Simpson championed a land conservation program only to watch DeSantis veto $100 million from it. Simpson is now being hailed as the “special session’s sleeper winner” by Politico. Lawmakers may take power over immigration enforcement from DeSantis and give it to Simpson, awarding him a boost to assert a hardline immigration stance as he mulls a run for governor in 2026.

DeSantis’s combative approach may earn him media attention and keep him above the fold, but it is costing him political capital in Tallahassee. The time for in-party fighting must give way to the serious nature of governing the state. It’s time to get to work.

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This story was originally published January 28, 2025 at 3:57 PM.