By Christine Sexton| Senior Reporter
“These are enduring successes, and there’s not been a state in our country during our lifetimes that has more thoroughly beaten the political left than we have over these last seven-and-half-years.” — Gov. Ron DeSantis
DeSantis arranged the event and even served as its emcee. Not surprisingly, the governor spoke at length about himself and his accomplishments at Tuesday night’s “Leadership Forum” in Tampa before actually getting down to the business at hand: pressing Republican gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep Byron Donalds on his positions and, more importantly from the governor’s perspective, whether they are in line with what he’s pushed during his two terms.
The Black Voters Matter Fund and the League of United Latin American Citizens filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday, challenging Florida’s new law requiring proof of citizenship to vote. This is the third legal challenge filed against the law, which is slated to take effect Jan. 1, 2027 after the 2026 general election. The first challenge was filed in federal court minutes after the bill was signed. That suit is scheduled for a trial in late 2027.
U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor and Darren Soto joined six other Democrats Tuesday in voting to support a congressional resolution denouncing “socialism in all of its forms.” Castor and Soto are trying to hang onto their congressional seats after the Legislature agreed to a mid-decade redistricting that redrew both of their districts. Most Democrats opposed the resolution because it included language urging passage of the SAVE America Act, a priority of President Donald Trump’s that tightens restrictions on voter registration and in-person voting. Senate Democratic hopeful Rep. Angie Dixon is a Democratic Socialist.
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