DeSantis makes big bet with evangelicals in GOP presidential primaries
by Haisten Willis, White House Reporter
May 26, 2023 05:30 AM
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has worked to position himself as a better version of Donald Trump, but he'll lean on key differences with The Donald to court one of the GOP's most important voting blocs.
DeSantis has embraced a firm pro-life policy stance and highlighted, subtly, his status as a solid family man, both of which contrast sharply with the Republican front-runner.
“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,” DeSantis told a gathering of Christian broadcasters Monday night. “And we have done more to protect children than any state in the country. Of course, just a short 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.”
The remarks were delivered in Orlando at the National Religious Broadcasters convention before thousands of Christians in the media.
DeSantis's embrace of a six-week abortion ban is a sharp contrast with Trump, who forged an uneasy alliance with evangelicals en route to winning the White House in 2016 but has since kept his distance by embracing a hands-off "states right" stance.
In his speech, DeSantis also touted Florida legislation that increases support for a pregnancy support services program, along with efforts to give parents greater access to and influence in local schools. One of his favorite phrases is "education, not indoctrination."
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