Florida Governor Ron DeSantis concluded the opening day of the fall convention for the California Republican Party by highlighting the disparities between his state and California. As one of the four Republican candidates for the presidential nomination, DeSantis primarily focused on cultural and public safety issues during his 30-minute address to approximately 400 attendees on Friday evening.
In contrast to former President Donald Trump’s events, the audience at DeSantis’ speech was dressed more formally and included fewer supporters wearing MAGA hats. DeSantis playfully referenced his close proximity to Disneyland, alluding to the political disagreement between himself and the Disney company that arose when he signed legislation prohibiting certain discussions of sexual identification and gender identity in elementary schools in Florida.
DeSantis received the most enthusiastic response, including applause from law enforcement officers stationed near the entrances, when he discussed parental rights in education. This issue is currently sensitive for many California parents who are concerned about policies that restrict the display of pride flags or fail to inform parents about their child’s potential transgender identity. DeSantis emphasized that Florida parents have the right to know what is being taught to their children, highlighting the contrasting education policies between his state and California.
Similar to Trump, DeSantis criticized California’s Democratic leaders, such as Governor Gavin Newsom and Vice President Kamala Harris, and their policies. He drew comparisons between the negative aspects of California, such as the economy and parental involvement in school curriculum, and the positive aspects of Florida. DeSantis claimed that the United States is experiencing a decline in various areas and stated that the California model reflects this decline.
However, Trump attracted a much larger crowd earlier on Friday, with at least 1,500 people attending his speech in the hotel ballroom, while over 400 individuals attended DeSantis’ dinner speech. Despite their clashes during the primary campaign, DeSantis responded to Trump’s claim that he had turned Florida red by jokingly remarking that he wished Trump had not turned Georgia and Arizona blue.
During a campaign event in Long Beach earlier in the week, DeSantis criticized Trump for not participating in the second Republican presidential primary debate, suggesting that he was “missing in action” and should be on the stage. The convention also saw hundreds of Trump supporters gathering outside the Anaheim Marriott where the event was held.
DeSantis also mentioned his upcoming debate with Newsom scheduled for November. The debate, to be moderated by Fox News’ Sean Hannity and broadcast on his prime-time show, will showcase the differing perspectives of the red and blue states.
Before DeSantis’ speech, Fred Whitaker, Chairman of the Orange County Republican Party, expressed the belief that California needs to hear DeSantis’ message and praised Florida’s accomplishments in comparison to the state’s own struggles. Attendees like Charlotte Christiana, a 91-year-old resident of Huntington Beach, voiced their support for DeSantis due to his pro-life stance, emphasis on family values, and support for border security. Kevin McGary, Chairman of the Frederick Douglass Foundation of California, also endorsed DeSantis, believing that he would make an excellent choice for president in the future.
Overall, DeSantis’ speech presented a contrasting vision for California’s future compared to the policies of its current leadership, highlighting his achievements in Florida and his ability to rally support from various segments of the population.
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