Ron DeSantis isn’t holding back about the state of the Democrat Party in Florida.
The Governor dropped a political bomb at a recent press conference that has Democrats fuming.
And Ron DeSantis just delivered a brutal truth about Florida Democrats that left them speechless.
DeSantis tells Sunshine State Democrats the harsh reality of their political future
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis delivered a harsh assessment of the Democrat Party’s chances in the upcoming gubernatorial race during a press conference in Tampa.
DeSantis didn’t mince words when he explained why prominent former Democrats like State Senator Jason Pizzo and attorney John Morgan are considering running as independents or third-party candidates rather than as Democrats in 2026.
“You’re seeing this stuff about a three-way race because people know if you have a ‘D’ next to your name in this state, you are dead meat because this party is a disaster,” the Republican governor said.
The two-term Governor, who can’t run for re-election due to term limits, pointed to a series of policy fights where he believes Democrats have taken positions contrary to what most Florida voters want.
“If you look at all the things that we’ve done, the Democrat Party in this state fought us tooth and nail,” DeSantis said.
He specifically mentioned Democrat opposition to his policies on reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic and providing school choice options for families.
On crime policies, DeSantis said Florida Democrats “wanted to have California-style policies” that voters reject.
DeSantis says Democrats can’t hide from their record
The Governor mocked the efforts of former Democrats to distance themselves from their party by running as independents or under new party banners.
“I think what you’re seeing is you’re seeing an effort for people to try to think if they remove that albatross around their neck, then somehow they’re going to be viable,” DeSantis stated.
But he warned that voters wouldn’t be fooled by the political rebranding attempts.
“But here’s the thing: You can dress it up anyway you want. If you put lipstick on a donkey, guess what? That thing’s still a donkey,” he said, referencing the Democrats’ longtime symbol.
The Florida Democrat Party did not immediately respond to the Governor’s comments.
Florida Democrats’ electoral woes continue to mount
DeSantis’ harsh assessment comes as Florida Democrats haven’t won a gubernatorial election in over three decades and haven’t secured a major statewide victory since 2012.
Once a critical swing state in presidential politics, Florida has increasingly become more Republican-dominated in recent years.
The GOP has overtaken Democrats in voter registration statewide and is now celebrating surpassing Democrats in active registered voters even in Miami-Dade County, traditionally a Democratic stronghold.
Republican Party leaders gathered in Miami-Dade on Tuesday to celebrate this milestone, though Democrats still hold an edge if inactive voters are included in the count.
Former Democrat Jason Pizzo, currently a state senator, has announced he’s running for governor as a no-party affiliation candidate.
John Morgan, a well-known personal injury attorney and former Democrat, plans to form a new political party that could serve as his vehicle to run next year.
First Lady Casey DeSantis dodges questions about her own gubernatorial ambitions
While the Governor was blunt about Democrats’ chances, his wife, Casey DeSantis, was more circumspect when asked about her own potential run for governor in 2026.
“All I have to say is ‘Preach, brother.’ I mean it’s true. We’ve got to save the free state,” Casey DeSantis said, agreeing with her husband’s assessment of Democrats.
But when pressed about her future political plans, she demurred: “We literally just went through an election cycle,” and “people are so tired of politics.”
Casey DeSantis has previously noted that it’s “more than a year from qualifying,” suggesting she’s in no hurry to announce a decision about running.
Meanwhile, Republican U.S. Representative Byron Donalds has been actively campaigning for the governorship, stating he’s “not waiting for anybody” and is running his race regardless of what the First Lady decides.
The 2026 Florida gubernatorial race is already shaping up to be a contentious battle, with Republicans looking to extend their dominance in state politics while Democrats search for a path back to relevance in what was once a crucial battleground state.