Florida Lawmakers Aim to Change Law so DeSantis Can Run for President Without Resigning as Governor

This would allow DeSantis to run for president and regain his position as governor if he doesn’t win the presidential election.

As the newly elected GOP leaders were sworn into office following the Nov. 8 elections, top Republicans in the Florida legislature said they’d be willing to change state election law so that Gov. Ron DeSantis could run for president without stepping down from his current position.

As it stands now, the law calls for the incumbent to leave his or her post, even if they end up losing the presidential election. In other words: any officer who qualifies for federal public office must “resign from the office he or she presently holds if the terms, or any part thereof, run concurrently with each other.” This means that Florida’s governor would have to resign if he decides to run for president, or if he receives the GOP nomination.

Easing the Way for DeSantis

Changing the law would make it easier for DeSantis to run for president and regain his position as governor if he doesn’t win the presidential election.

At this time, a total of 33% of potential GOP primary voters said they’d vote for DeSantis, according to a Nov. 15 Morning Consult/Politico tracking poll. 

Senate President Kathleen Passidomo agreed with the proposed change to the current law. “If an individual [who] is a Florida governor, is running for president, I think he should be allowed to do it,” said Passidomo. 

If DeSantis were to resign the governorship, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez would replace him, becoming the first woman governor of Florida.