‘Not going to let them cancel me’: ‘Top Gov’ Ron DeSantis’s 2022 maverick moments
Heather Hamilton
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As Top Gun: Maverick soared in the box office throughout much of 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) felt his own need for speed as he took on many political ideologies and opponents — from both the Democratic and Republican Parties.
In fact, the Florida governor was dubbed “Top Gov” in a Top Gun-inspired campaign ad. DeSantis, considered by many to be a political maverick, was shown donning a leather jacket and aviator shades, and even climbing into the cockpit of a jet.
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DeSantis has risen to become one of the most prominent Republican leaders in the country. He was named to Time’s 2022 “Person of the Year” short list, and while he has not confirmed his 2024 intentions, DeSantis is considered a top presidential hopeful.
The governor’s notoriety has come as he has embodied conservatives’ fight for freedom against COVID-19 regulations and stood up for parental rights in children’s education. DeSantis also took Disney to task over its self-governing Reedy Creek Improvement District in an effort to “make sure that [Florida’s] able to impose the law and make sure we’re collecting the taxes.”
The dispute between Disney and DeSantis arose after the media conglomerate’s executives denounced the governor’s Parental Rights in Education bill, which opponents labeled the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
While speaking at a Jewish leadership conference in June, LGBT activists gathered with signs that read, “Say Gay,” and, “Not during pride month.” DeSantis laughed them off, saying: “I am not going to let them cancel me.”
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DeSantis has been vocal about preserving people’s right to medical freedom while resisting the Left’s push for gender transition-related healthcare.
In June, the governor announced the reestablishment of the Florida State Guard and touted it as a refuge for United States military service members who have been discharged for not complying with COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
In December, DeSantis petitioned the Supreme Court of Florida to create a grand jury to investigate wrongdoings in relation to the COVID-19 vaccine. He also announced the creation of the Public Health Integrity Committee, which aims to “assess federal public health recommendations and guidance to ensure that Florida’s public health policies are tailored for Florida’s communities and priorities.”
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The Florida governor also became a crusader for border security and joined Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) in sending illegal immigrants to Democratic states. DeSantis sent two planes of roughly 50 immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard in September. He used the flights as part of his campaign efforts to blast President Joe Biden over the border crisis.
“The legislature gave me $12 million. We’re going to spend every penny of that to make sure that we are protecting the people of the state of Florida,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis also proved he could put politics aside and cross partisan lines when Hurricane Ian devastated the western Florida coast.
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“We are cutting through the red tape, and that’s from local government, state government, all the way up to the president, so we appreciate the team effort,” DeSantis said.
In a year that carried its own personal battles as DeSantis’s wife Casey worked toward the completion of her breast cancer treatment and the eventual declaration of being cancer-free, the governor is finishing 2022 with several political victories — most notable perhaps is winning his bid for reelection as the leader of Florida. DeSantis also saw many of those he endorsed claim their own election victories.
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However, the victories did not come without attack — from those outside and within his own party, including former President Donald Trump.
“All of that is just noise, and really what matters is, are you leading? Are you getting in front of issues? Are you delivering results for people, and are you standing up for folks? And if you do that, none of that stuff matters,” DeSantis said.
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“At the end of the day, I would just tell people to go check out the scoreboard,” DeSantis added. “The fact of the matter is, it was the greatest Republican victory in the history of the state of Florida.”
Florida’s success, along with DeSantis’s leadership, has left many Republican voters hopeful that the Florida governor might become a national maverick and take his need for speed all the way to the White House.