Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
DESANTIS V. GILLUM FOR GOVERNOR
DeSantis easily beat Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam
A presidential endorsement propelled U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis to victory Tuesday in the Republican primary for governor, drawing to a close a contest that pitted the Trump-backed candidate against a longtime Florida politician who made his Sunshine State credentials the central part of his campaign.
Once seen as an underdog, DeSantis easily beat Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who had charted a two-decadelong trail of political success.
“I’ve been willing to take the tough stands, the principled positions, even when it was detrimental to me politically,” DeSantis, a 39-year-old, three-term congressman, said during his victory speech in Orlando.
DeSantis thanked President
Donald Trump for his support, and Trump tweeted his congratulations shortly after the results were announced.
In a break with precedent, Trump put his weight into the GOP primary, holding a rally in Tampa to support DeSantis’ campaign. Voters answered the call. DeSantis will face the Democratic nominee Andrew Gillum, who was endorsed by liberal icon U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
Trump tweeted his support for DeSantis twice on Monday and delivered a recorded phone message to GOP voters a day before the election.
DeSantis has an Ivy League education, holding degrees from Yale University and Harvard Law School. He served in the U.S. Navy as an officer in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, earning a Bronze Star. He was first elected to U.S. Congress in 2012 and represents a district that includes the Daytona Beach area.
DeSantis has vowed to continue the economic progress he credits to outgoing Gov. Rick Scott, who is seeking to unseat incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in the Nov. 6 general election. DeSantis says he’ll crack down on illegal immigration, appoint conservative judges, uphold the Second Amendment and embrace school choice if elected governor.
Trump’s endorsement and DeSantis’ frequent appearances on Fox News made an impression on South Florida voters.
Joe Luip, 67, a retiree living in Coconut Creek, said he got to know DeSantis from watching him on Fox News.
“Anybody who Trump feels positive with, I would go with,” he said.
DeSantis won despite Putnam outspending him two-to-one and securing endorsements from influential Florida groups. Nearly 50 sheriffs endorsed Putnam, along with key business organizations, such as the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
Putnam, 44, made “Florida First” his campaign’s motto, seeking to highlight his long career of public service. He spoke at barbecues in bluejeans and cowboy boots and delivered his stump speech at smalltown events, such as the Wausau Possum Festival. In his concession speech, Putnam told supporters he fully supports DeSantis in the general election.
“We ran an honest-togoodness, genuine grassroots campaign,” Putnam said. “I am really proud of that.”
Putnam has been a fixture in Florida’s GOP establishment.
At the age of 22, Putnam became the youngest person ever elected to the Florida House of Representatives. He then spent 10 years in Washington serving in the U.S. House of Representatives. He easily won two terms as Agriculture Commissioner in 2010 and 2014.
Putnam touted his support of Trump’s agenda, but he accused his opponent of basking in the television lights instead of connecting with Floridians one-onone.
That message had appeal for some GOP voters. Michael Fox, 60, a resident of Loxahatchee in Palm Beach County, said Trump’s endorsement wasn’t enough to steer him away from Putnam.
“He’s a Florida boy,” Fox said. “He wants to take care of Florida. Putnam’s been here all of his life.”
But Trump’s endorsement proved to be decisive for most GOP voters.
“I want to help Trump get things accomplished,” said Judy Morales, a Coconut Creek voter who decided on DeSantis after the president’s endorsement.
DeSantis closed his victory speech with a line that might sound familiar.
“We’ll keep Florida great, and we’ll make it even greater,” he told the cheering crowd.
“I’ve been willing to take the tough stands, the principled positions, even when it was detrimental to me politically.”
Ron DeSantis