DeSantis’s Disney feud boosting his national profile as White House run looms: Poll
Jack Birle
Video Embed
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has been engaged in a feud with Disney for more than a year, and as he eyes a 2024 presidential bid, the feud appears to be boosting his national profile.
A poll from Reuters and Ipsos found 54% of those surveyed were following the feud, giving DeSantis exposure beyond the Sunshine State.
FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO CONSIDER PROPOSAL THAT WOULD ALLOW DESANTIS TO LAUNCH 2024 BID
The survey also found that 44% of Republicans in the nationwide poll have a more favorable view of the Florida governor because of his actions against Disney.
DeSantis has been working to take control of the special district encompassing the Walt Disney World Resort but has faced some roadblocks as Disney has fought to maintain its autonomy. Florida lawmakers are also working to make the resort’s monorail system subject to state inspections.
The battle between DeSantis and Disney, which led to Disney’s Central Florida district being restructured, stemmed from the entertainment giant denouncing DeSantis’s push for the Parental Rights in Education Act last year. Disney had maintained full autonomy over the district since its creation in 1967.
The poll also showed that roughly 64% of Republicans supported DeSantis stripping Disney of its special agreements with the Sunshine State, whereas only roughly 37% of Republicans surveyed disagreed with the Florida governor. A vast majority of Democrats and most independents surveyed disagreed with DeSantis’s actions.
The poll was conducted with 1,005 adults, including 450 Democrats and 366 Republicans, over a two-day period ending on Tuesday, according to the pollster. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
DeSantis is currently on an international trade mission visiting Japan, South Korea, Israel, and the United Kingdom, which has only further fueled speculation he will announce a 2024 bid.
The Florida legislature is currently considering a bill that would allow DeSantis to run for president while still being allowed to remain governor. Current Florida law requires a state officeholder to resign if they seek a federal office, but the proposed legislation would change the law to exempt those running for president or vice president.