Governors who run unsuccessfully for president often end up less popular back home. That’s been the case for Ron DeSantis in Florida. After dominating state politics for years, DeSantis now faces a surprising antagonist in fellow Republican House Speaker Daniel Perez.
The two have argued about everything from higher education and offshore drilling to funding for legislative support services and condo safety standards. They locked horns at the start of this year’s session over immigration. Their battle intensified as the state House launched a probe into a nonprofit connected with the governor’s wife. Their dispute about whether to prioritize sales or property tax cuts led to a delay in passing this year’s budget.
Perez, a 38-year-old Cuban American from Miami, has not backed down for a minute, publicly accusing DeSantis of lying, being emotional and throwing temper tantrums. “Threatening others to get your way isn’t leadership, it’s immaturity,” Perez said on the House floor earlier this year.
