McDonald argued that DeSantis strong-arming his party is a political flex by the governor. DeSantis has emerged as a star within the Republican party because of his extreme positions on everything from COVID-19 to race. The Florida governor, seen as a potential rival to defeated former president and current Florida resident Donald Trump, is considered one of the few Republicans who could challenge Trump for the 2024 presidential denomination.
By exercising such extraordinary actions on issues such as voting, DeSantis has the potential to out-Trump Trump and win over the MAGA base, and he seems more than willing to throw Black people, and even more moderate members of his party, under the bus to do so. As the districting fight continues, the governor’s radical views and political ambitions continue to make life difficult for many Floridians.