Posted on 11/07/2018 2:20:51 PM PST by Liberty7732
Amid all of the talking head analysis of Tuesday’s election, one aspect is often overlooked: Republican Ron DeSantis’ victory for Governor of Florida will sharply change the makeup of the Florida Supreme Court to a large majority conservative, constitutionalist, which will have a powerful impact on redistricting in the nation’s third largest state.
But it was close — less than 1 percent close. Andrew Gillum could have been the first African American governor in the history of Florida. Indeed, the last time this degree of historical significance graced a candidate, he won the Presidency of the United States.
But Andrew Gillum’s race turned out differently. Tallahassee’s mayor had an excellent performance in his primary election defeating Florida darling Gwen Graham — daughter of former Governor and former Senator Bob Graham — when many felt he couldn’t. Gillum exceeded all expectations, and he did it at a fraction of the cost as more well-heeled candidates battled each other with attack ads.
All the various reasons why Gillum won the primary will be the object of endless discussion and debate, but in the end, the qualities that put him over the top in the primary were the same ones that doomed him in the general.
Gillum ran on plans to make Florida a sanctuary state, to implement an income tax, and to turn the Florida Supreme Court deep blue progressive. The prospects of those changes were too repugnant to Floridians. Florida is an extremely diverse state, but in the face of one of the greatest economies in the country, and Floridians’ aversion to a state income tax, the prospect of turning in a polar opposite direction was too much for the electorate.
And understand, that in most respects, Florida is a red state. Every statewide office holder, including all of the elected cabinet positions are Republican and have been Republican for many years. The Legislature is nearly veto-proof Republican. Only the highest level statewide races make it purple.
With no experience in Florida government, DeSantis will have a difficult transition from his present duties as a congressman. But perhaps the easiest task for him is arguably the most substantial: picking three conservative Supreme Court judges.
A Gillum win would have maintained and rejuvenated the Court’s liberal majority. But now, the 4-3 votes in favor of liberals will become 6-1 votes in favor of conservatives; sweet justice for social conservatives and strict constitutionalists who have seen their legislations recurrently blown up by a hostile court.
Oh, and let’s not forget the effect the new Court will have on redistricting challenges by the Democrats a mere three years away. The old 4-3 Court was very friendly to the liberal redistricting lawsuits. The new one will likely be less so, affecting state elections but also congressional elections.
For Republicans, there is great hope in a DeSantis governorship, but like President Trump, the effect on the Florida Supreme Court alone will suffice in making this win worthwhile.
Should not have been that close but, FL. Spent 24 (87-2011)years there and nearly always weird politics.
I think they meant that Florida is the 3rd most POPULOUS state. It is by no means the 3rd “largest”.
Lets hope he selects Pro-Constitution Supremes as we have very little time to get things locked down.
Gov. elect DeSantis saved Florida from becoming Venezuela. This is true.
“...Andrew Gillum could have been the first African American governor in the history of Florida....”
Gillum could have been the first RAVING SOCIALIST destructive governor in the history of Florida...don’t let Florida become another dead Democrat state like Kalifornia....
the thought of gilliam for four years made me want to puke.
His name now is Gov. Ron DeSeventenths.
I get exhausted with “should not have been this close” posts.
As if hotly contested races in FLA are ever a blow out.
GWB won the state by less than 1K votes 18 years ago, and that’s how FLA rolls.
Fixed it
Thank God.
Given that is was virtually 50/50 and that FL has several trends making it more liberal, this may be the last gasp for saving the place (and the country). The fact that such an obvious socialist Leftard came within a hair’s breadth of winning does not bode well for the future of FL or the USA.
Not really. Most Floridians did not know these things about Gillum. The media made sure of that. That's why he came a whisker from winning...
Yeah, we were there.
DeSantis is a great guy but was a lousy candidate. Miracle he pulled it off, particularly with all the free publicity, accolades, and outside money that Gillum received.
Thank God though. I was happy to vote for him. President Trump is going to need a conservative-run Florida in 2020.
A Dem win of Florida Governorship would have had catastophic results. Thank you God.
My boy in GA tells me that WTF also means, “Welcome to Florida.”
Question the first: can the Florida Supreme Court overturn the ‘Felons can now vote’ nonsense, by saying it goes against the USConstitution?
Question the second: does anyone have a direct comparison of money spent by Gillum to money spent by DeSantis?
Thanks.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.