Florida Republicans have the majority — conservative victory or civil war in the making? | Opinion
The Republican Party in Florida has successfully consolidated power, secured dominance across the state and cemented its ability to push a conservative agenda. So why does it feel as though we’re moving backwards instead of forward?
With no meaningful Democratic opposition left to fight, Florida Republicans turned their swords on each other earlier this month. Rather than focusing on governance, they began slipping into civil war. They could have used the mandate from this election to push real conservative policies. Instead, at the first opportunity, they indulged in embarrassing infighting that would make Abraham Lincoln weep.
As a conservative in Florida, there was a time when I would have celebrated Republican victories across the state. Today, though, I worry about the cost of that influence. The conservative ideas Barry Goldwater wrote about in “The Conscience of a Conservative” — a well-read book on my shelf — are fading in Florida Republican politics. The recent clash between Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican lawmakers was not just political drama. It revealed a real break from conservative values.
Consider the recent immigration bill pushed through the Florida Legislature. The initial legislation, written by lawmakers after they rejected the governor’s ideas, had a hefty cost of $500 million. After a week of disputes, DeSantis and the Legislature reached a compromise with a new version of immigration legislation. In the process, they managed to reduce the cost of the bill to a little over $300 million. But that still leaves a big question: Where will the money come from?
Creating a bigger state government, which is what the immigration measure will would do, seems contrary to the idea of small, limited government. The responsibility for immigration enforcement lies with the federal government. I support cracking down on illegal immigration. But does anyone believe President Trump isn’t already handling the situation? We don’t need another layer of government from Tallahassee.
If Florida has spare millions of dollars lying around to spend on immigration efforts, that would basically duplicate Trump’s, lawmakers should either return it to taxpayers or use it to address pressing issues like solving the insurance crisis or fixing the education system.
The special session last month became a rare Republican v. Republican showdown when lawmakers rejected DeSantis’ call for a special session and began to attack his line item vetos. Although DeSantis and the Legislature eventually made a deal, and posed for a photo op, the public fights left me uneasy. They revealed a crack in the GOP, one that will likely worsen the next time DeSantis and his fellow Republicans disagree.
It’s just plain sad.
I long for the days of a healthy legislative branch where pushback was normal and respectful. Now, it feels like a Republican governor is trying to bully his own party into following his wishes.
Can you imagine former Govs. Jeb Bush or Rick Scott bullying party members? I can’t.
I do remember a time when the executive branch asked lawmakers to support their agenda instead of threatening them with funding for primary challenges.
American democracy requires a robust two-party system to ensure elected officials focus on constituents’ needs rather than on power plays. Years ago, Republicans warned about the dangers of one-party rule when the Democrats were in control of the U.S. House and Senate. They were right. One-party rule breeds complacency and an erosion of accountability.
But now, Florida Republicans are proving their own point.
As conservatives, we should demand better of our elected leaders — more governing, less drama and a return to the idea of a “loyal opposition.” Florida Republicans, it’s time to dust off your copy of Goldwater’s book, give it another read and let’s focus once again on fighting for conservative values: crafting responsible policy, ensuring fiscal discipline and upholding the ideals of individual liberty and small, limited government.
Mary Anna Mancuso is a member of the Miami Herald Editorial Board.
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