In Midst of Trump Indictment, Florida Legislature Filed Bill to Permit DeSantis to Run for President

Amid news of former President Donald Trump’s indictment, the Florida Senate filed a bill that would allow Governor Ron DeSantis to continue holding office if he runs for president. The current law stipulates that any candidate running for local, state, or federal office in Florida must resign their current post. However, it is uncertain how this law would work in a presidential race where candidates must first run in multiple state primaries. Republicans control both chambers of the Florida legislature, and the bill is expected to draw support from the supermajorities. Governor DeSantis has not yet declared his candidacy for president, and he has stated that any announcement would come after the legislative session concludes in May.

The text of Senate Bill 7050, filed on March 30, is a preliminary draft, lacking a title and substantive detail. The bill was submitted to the Committee on Ethics and Elections, and it reads, “An act relating to elections, providing legislative intent, providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida, Section 1. The legislature intends to revise laws relating to elections. Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023.”

Governor DeSantis was reelected in November 2022, and he was inaugurated on January 3, 2023, after winning with a landslide majority. During an interview with “Fox & Friends,” he stated that he planned to focus on promoting his book, “The Courage To Be Free,” and that he would not announce his candidacy until the legislative session concludes in May.