As the 2024 presidential race heats up and as speculation grows regarding Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's (R) likely decision to jump in, his allies in the state's legislature are making serious moves.
According to Breitbart, the legislative process to repeal the state's "resign to run" law is in motion. The law currently prohibits state officeholders, including the governor, from launching a campaign for federal office without resigning first.
Breitbart noted: "On Thursday, a preliminary draft bill (SPB 7050) was proposed to the Committee on Ethics and Elections to provide legislative intent to change the law. The draft suggests the effective date of the legislation would be July 1, 2023."
With DeSantis's many Republican allies in the GOP-controlled state legislature, the bill should pass through without much of an issue.
Notably, according to The Floridian, the draft bill was proposed just hours before the surprise indictment of former President Donald Trump this week.
Florida lawmakers filed a draft “Resign to Run” bill just hours before the Trump indictment.
Does this means DeSantis intends to for POTUS? If he were to run in the GOP POTUS primary and lost he wouldn’t have resign he could still be governor. https://t.co/GvJbIFfBdk
— Amanda Stafford (@RosannaM1970) April 1, 2023
The move also drew intense criticism from Trump supporters, as DeSantis is widely expected to be his most formidable GOP opponent, should he formally enter the presidential race.
"BREAKING: Today as it was announced that President Trump was indicted by a Soros District attorney, Desantis’s henchmen in the FL legislature chose TODAY as the day to file the bill to amend the Florida Resign to Run law so that @GovRonDeSantis won’t have to resign as Governor to run for president. DeSantis waited for Trump’s indictment to do this, just like I said he would. Florida taxpayers will be paying DeSantis’s salary for the next year so he can campaign on taxpayer dime," Laura Loomer tweeted.
She added: "Imagine how evil you have to be to do this today of all days. What a snake!"
"DeSantis that SNAKE seems to be working with the Florida legislature to change the resign to run law TODAY as Trump is being indicted over BULLS**T! MAGA will never support you again @RonDeSantisFL!" Alex Bruesewitz tweeted Thursday.
BREAKING:
Ron DeSantis waited until the media was fully consumed with Trump’s indictment to make a move to repeal Florida’s resign-to-run law, which prevents current public officials from seeking other offices while serving in their current office. pic.twitter.com/kbdlH9lETf
— Rebekah Jones (@GeoRebekah) March 31, 2023
Breitbart added: "If the bill is passed and signed into law by DeSantis, he would presumably be able to launch a primary campaign against former President Donald Trump, who was indicted Thursday by a grand jury in New York."
Trump's indictment has, so far, proven to be a massive backfire for Democrats hoping it would have the opposite effect. Not only do Trump's polling numbers continue to skyrocket, but his campaign war chest is growing by the day, hauling in over $4 million in the first 24 hours after news of his indictment hit the headlines.
Only time will tell if the bill is passed and if that's what DeSantis is waiting for before he formally announces. Needless to say, this upcoming GOP primary battle will be one for the ages.