Ron DeSantis is an American politician and prominent figure in [the Republican Party](https://doctorparadox.net/the-gop-is-3-cults-in-a-trenchcoat/), currently serving as the Governor of Florida and making machinations towards a presidential run in 2024. Born on September 14, 1978, in Jacksonville, Florida, DeSantis has a background in both military service and law. He currently leads the charge on a right-wing "anti-[[woke]]" policy agenda. ## Education and military service DeSantis attended Yale University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 2001. He later pursued a law degree at Harvard Law School, graduating with a Juris Doctor in 2005. After completing law school, DeSantis joined the United States Navy as a Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG) officer. He was on active duty from 2005 to 2010, during which time he served as a military prosecutor, legal advisor, and defense attorney. DeSantis was also deployed to Iraq as a legal advisor for the Navy SEALs during the Iraq War. He continued to serve in the Navy Reserve until 2021, ultimately attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. ## Political career 1. **U.S. House of Representatives (2013-2019)**: DeSantis began his political career by running for the U.S. [[House of Representatives]]. He was elected to represent Florida's 6th congressional district in 2012 and was re-elected twice, serving from 2013 to 2019. As a member of [[Congress]], DeSantis was known for his [[conservative]] stances, including advocating for limited government, fiscal responsibility, and strong national defense. He was a member of the House Freedom Caucus, a group of conservative Republican lawmakers. 2. **Governor of Florida (2019-Present)**: DeSantis ran for Governor of Florida in the 2018 election and narrowly defeated his Democratic opponent, Andrew Gillum. He assumed office in January 2019. As Governor, DeSantis has focused on issues such as education, the environment, and [[deregulation]]. He has also gained national attention for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating for a less restrictive approach and opposing measures such as mask mandates and lockdowns. Throughout his political career, DeSantis has been a supporter of former President [[Donald Trump]], although the two are beginning to spar over the 2024 Republican nomination for president. DeSantis has attracted national attention and controversy with shenanigans such as a [feud with Disney](https://www.nytimes.com/article/disney-florida-desantis.html) over the Florida company's opposition to the "Don't Say Gay" bill, a fascist marketing stunt to [route asylum seekers from Texas to Martha's Vinyard](https://www.npr.org/2022/09/18/1123644692/desantis-migrants-texas-massachusetts-marthas-vineyard-legal-questions), and a wide [campaign against so-called "wokeness" in Florida schools](https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/23593369/ron-desantis-florida-schools-higher-education-woke). An [international trip in April, 2023](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/hoping-to-bolster-foreign-policy-credentials-desantis-overseas-trip-overshadowed-by-disney-fight) to burnish his foreign policy bona fides did few favors for the Florida governor, who came across as easily rattled and agitated. [Major donors have become reticent](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/17/ron-desantis-republican-donor-thomas-peterffy-2024) to continue backing DeSantis's presumed bid for the nomination, in a sign that all may not be smooth sailing for the irritating Florida mouthpiece.