DeSantis engages in town hall with SC voters.

GOP Candidate Ron DeSantis Holds Engaging Town Hall with South Carolina Voters

On June 22, Republican presidential candidate and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis held a lively town hall with South Carolina voters. The event lasted for hours, with DeSantis taking over a dozen questions and engaging with a crowd of about 400 people.

Dressed casually in a blazer, jeans, and boots, DeSantis took the stage at the Riverside Park Activities Center in North Augusta. He covered a range of topics, including his fight against lockdown policies, his stance on wokeness and the decline of the military, and his criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of the southern border crisis and the economy.

One of the highlights of DeSantis’ speech was his recent visit to San Francisco, where he contrasted the city’s decline with the success of his own state of Florida. He described witnessing shocking scenes of public drug use and boarded-up businesses, attributing these issues to the leftist ideology imposed by politicians in cities and states across the country.

DeSantis also emphasized his unwavering support for law enforcement, stating that he never marched against the police during the Black Lives Matter riots. He highlighted Florida’s legislation preventing local governments from defunding the police and the state’s commitment to providing bonuses to law enforcement officers and firefighters.

Standing Up for Police

During the town hall, DeSantis addressed a question about his support for law enforcement from a police officer in Aiken, South Carolina. He expressed gratitude for the officer’s service and emphasized his commitment to standing with the police.

DeSantis highlighted Florida’s legislation preventing local governments from defunding the police and the state’s provision of bonuses to law enforcement officers and firefighters. He also discussed his defense priorities, including securing the southern border and modernizing the military.

When asked about the legalization of marijuana, DeSantis expressed reservations, citing the potential negative impact on society and workforce readiness. He emphasized the need to discourage drug use, particularly among young people.

DeSantis concluded the town hall by reflecting on his own upbringing in Florida and the negative consequences he observed among high school students who got involved with drugs.