Florida conservatives know a fighter when they see one.
Attorney General James Uthmeier spent years as Ron DeSantis' right-hand man.
And James Uthmeier just got one major recognition that proved Donald Trump was right.
Trump-Backed Attorney General Takes Center Stage
The Christian Family Coalition of Florida is rolling out the red carpet for Attorney General James Uthmeier at its Freedom Gala Dinner this Saturday at Trump National Doral.¹
Uthmeier will be the headline speaker at the event featuring Republican leaders from across Florida.¹
This isn't just another political dinner.
The event will also honor Charlie Kirk, the Turning Point USA founder assassinated in Utah in September.¹
Turning Point's Faith National Director of Pastoral Relations Chip Moore will speak as part of that tribute.¹
For Uthmeier, landing this prime speaking slot shows how quickly he's consolidated support among Florida conservatives despite his close ties to DeSantis, who ran against Trump in last year's presidential primary.
https://twitter.com/PhilAmmann/status/1988670203614416944?s=20
DeSantis Protégé Wins Over Trump World
Trump ended months of speculation in October when he gave Uthmeier his "Complete and Total Endorsement" for Attorney General.²
"James Uthmeier is a Strong Conservative Fighter and Prosecutor, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!" Trump posted on social media.²
Trump specifically praised Uthmeier as "THE MAN behind ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ," the controversial Everglades detention center for illegal aliens.²
The 37-year-old Uthmeier became Attorney General in February after DeSantis appointed him to replace Ashley Moody, who moved to the U.S. Senate when Marco Rubio became Secretary of State.³
Uthmeier served as DeSantis' Chief of Staff for more than three years and even ran his unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign.³
That made Trump's October endorsement far from guaranteed.
But Uthmeier has proven himself as an America First warrior on issues Trump cares about most — illegal immigration, protecting children from predators, and taking on the Deep State.
https://twitter.com/JamesUthmeierFL/status/1975948787836502448?s=20
Florida's Top Republicans Line Up Behind Uthmeier
The Christian Family Coalition event reads like a who's who of Florida Republican politics.
U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart will address attendees via video.¹
State Sen. Ana Mari Rodriguez, State Rep. Alex Rizo, State Rep. Tom Fabricio, and Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia are all scheduled to speak.¹
Doral Mayor Christi Fraga is hosting the event.¹
Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez initially considered running for Attorney General himself but backed off after Trump threw his support behind Uthmeier.¹
No major Republican candidate has stepped forward to challenge Uthmeier in next November's election.¹
On the Democrat side, former state Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez is the only candidate running for the top prosecutor's job.¹
The Christian Family Coalition has been one of Florida's most influential conservative advocacy organizations since 2003, focusing on faith, family, and freedom.⁴
Getting featured billing at their Freedom Gala Dinner is a major seal of approval from the grassroots conservative movement.
https://twitter.com/Sachinettiyil/status/1891509000807571619?s=20
Trump Endorsement Clears The Field
A Trump endorsement now decides races in Florida Republican politics.
DeSantis is termed out in 2026, and Trump spends much of his time in the Sunshine State.
The President won Florida by massive margins in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
His endorsement has effectively cleared the Republican field for Uthmeier.
Trump praised Uthmeier for arguing "strongly at the United States Supreme Court in defense of my Executive Power to fire Deep State bureaucrats."²
"Under James' fearless leadership, over 1,000 CRIMINAL PEDOPHILES have been arrested, missing children have been SAVED, and our Great Members of Law Enforcement have been empowered to do their jobs and, KEEP FLORIDA SAFE," Trump added.²
Uthmeier has aggressively pursued Trump's agenda as Attorney General, including creating the Alligator Alcatraz detention center in the Everglades that can house up to 5,000 illegal immigrant detainees.
https://twitter.com/AGJamesUthmeier/status/1961093934517551133?s=20
He was even held in contempt of court in June for continuing to enforce Florida's immigration law after a federal judge blocked it.
"If being held in contempt is what it costs to stand firmly behind President Trump's agenda on illegal immigration, so be it," Uthmeier stated.⁵
Democrats attacked Uthmeier's appointment as "weaponizing the judicial branch," but their complaints ring hollow.
Florida Democrat Party Chair Nikki Fried claimed Uthmeier was "willing to do anything" to help DeSantis.³
But Uthmeier has shown he's willing to do anything to advance the America First agenda — regardless of who gets credit.
That's exactly what Trump saw in him.
Saturday's Freedom Gala Dinner at Trump National Doral will give Uthmeier another platform to rally conservatives behind his 2026 campaign.
And it proves Trump made the right call backing him over any other potential candidate.
¹ Drew Dixon, "Christian Family Coalition features James Uthmeier at dinner honoring conservatives," Florida Politics, November 12, 2025.
² Skyler Swisher, "Trump backs Uthmeier for Florida attorney general," Orlando Sentinel, October 8, 2025.
³ Multiple Staff, "James Uthmeier sworn in as Florida attorney general after appointment by Gov. Ron DeSantis," WPTV, February 17, 2025.
⁴ "Home," Christian Family Coalition, https://cfcflorida.net/
⁵ "James Uthmeier," Wikipedia, November 2025.
