Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis headlined a fundraising dinner in New Hampshire on Friday, April 14, that was anything but uneventful. The Sunshine State leader hit all the expected notes, and yet, despite being on the presidential pilgrimage undertaken by all hopefuls, he still hasn’t officially announced his 2024 run.
The dinner is a key fundraising event for the state’s Republican Party and was named after Amos Tuck who is considered to be the founder of the party in the 1850s. Tickets started at $150 per person in the main hall and those who wanted to sit in the VIP room paid $600. New Hampshire state party chairman Chris Ager told Fox News that the event would bring in more than $250,000, a “record,” and over 500 people would be in attendance, adding, “We had to close ticket sales earlier this week at 520 people.” There were also strong security measures put into place, but that didn’t prevent some protesters from rushing the podium.
The female demonstrators chanted “Jews Against DeSantis” and belonged to the group IfNotNow. The organization protests against the Israeli government and the country’s treatment of Palestinians. The group reportedly considers DeSantis an antisemite “pointing to what it characterized as his refusal to denounce white supremacist supporters and alliances with Christian nationalists,” The Hill wrote. The women were quickly escorted away from the governor who didn’t seem phased by the interruption and said, “You’ve got to have a little spice in the speech.”
DeSantis Stressed Return of Values and Republicans
DeSantis told his audience, “Here’s the strange truth: If the 2024 election is a referendum on Joe Biden and his failed policies and if we provide a fresh vision for American’s renewal, Republicans will win the White House, the House and the U.S. Senate. So, we cannot get distracted, and we cannot afford to lose because freedom is hanging in the balance.” He continued:
“There is no substitute for victory. Republicans need to shake the culture of losing that has developed throughout our party in recent years. The time for excuses is over. We must get it done once and for all.”
Ron DeSantis (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
DeSantis takes a hard stance on education and what should and shouldn’t be taught to younger children. He has faced a lot of controversy over his so-called “Don’t Say Gay Bill” which states parents have a right to know what their children are being taught and primary grade level children should not be educated on sexual orientation or gender identity. To cheers from the audience, including a standing ovation, the governor said, “I think parents should be able to send their kids to second grade, let them watch cartoons, just let them be kids, not having somebody’s agenda shoved down their throat. It is wrong to tell a second grader that they were born in the wrong body.”
DeSantis has been hitting the road for the past week, but he hasn’t mentioned the new abortion bill that prohibits the procedure after six weeks of pregnancy except for medical emergencies or as a product of rape. Some supporters are concerned the move will hurt his chances should he decide to run in the 2024 presidential election. Abortion is a hot topic that can potentially help or demolish a politician’s career chances.
New Hampshire Democratic Party spokesperson Aida Ross said, “Of course Ron DeSantis would try to hide his anti-choice agenda from Granite Staters after he signed his extreme ban behind closed doors and in the dark night,” Fox News reported. He accused the governor of trying to “out-MAGA the field.”
The Florida leader reinforced the need for Republicans to take control of the White House, saying, “All we do is get the job done day after day. And that means we beat the left day after day, week after week.” Although he didn’t announce a presidential run, DeSantis alluded to it with, “I am very proud of what we have accomplished in the state of Florida, but I can tell you this. I have only begun to fight.”
