Inside Florida Politics

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is delivering his closing message in Iowa after going hard at Nikki Haley in their final debate before the Iowa Caucus. Journalists Zac Anderson, John Kennedy and Antonio Fins discuss the final push in Iowa, Trump going off script and Florida’s legislative session kicking off.

Journalists Zac Anderson, John Kennedy and Antonio Fins discuss the top stories in Florida politics in 2023, including DeSantis' struggling presidential campaign, the GOP cementing its grasp on Florida and Trump's resurgence.

Gov. Ron DeSantis' struggling presidential primary campaign is entering the home stretch before voting begins in Iowa. Journalists Antonio Fins, Zac Anderson and John Kennedy discuss the challenges facing DeSantis has he tries to pull off a surprise finish in Iowa, a pair of upcoming debates and a new poll showing Florida voters support abortion rights.

Republican presidential candidates Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley exchanged barbs in the third GOP presidential debate in Miami. Reporters Zac Anderson, Stephany Matat and Antonio Fins discuss the debate fireworks and former President Donald's Trump's rally in nearby Hialeah.

Gov. Ron DeSantis took multiple shots at former President Donald Trump during the second GOP presidential primary debate. Journalists Zac Anderson, John Kennedy and Antonio fins discuss DeSantis' debate strategy, Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz's central role in a federal spending debate that has Congress on the brink of a federal shutdown and a court case challenging Florida's congressional redistricting maps.

Ron DeSantis preps for a crucial debate, the governor defends Trump after a fourth indictment and a big trial over Florida’s congressional redistricting plan kicks off next week. Journalists Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss this and reveal this week's "Pick-a-Number" on this week's podcast

Gov. Ron DeSantis decried the “weaponization of government” after former President Donald Trump was indicted for a third time. Journalists Zac Anderson, Antonio Fins and John Kennedy discus the impact of the indictment on the GOP presidential primary, DeSantis' fading poll numbers amid signs his culture war approach is falling flat and the firestorm over Florida’s new Black history standards

Trump’s indictment for allegedly mishandling classified documents is sending shockwaves through the GOP presidential primary as plans move forward for a Florida trial. Journalists Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss the fallout from Trump's indictment, DeSantis finally signing the state budget and another clash over Advanced Placement courses that is brewing in Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis' controversial migrant flight program is attracting attention again with a new round of flights carrying migrants to California. Journalists Zac Anderson, Antonio Fins and John Kennedy discuss the reaction to the flights, the governor sparing with former President Donald Trump during his first full week on the presidential campaign trail and a judge pausing enforcement of Florida’s recent ban on transgender health care for minors.

Gov. Ron DeSantis finally made his presidential campaign official, but the kickoff event was marred by technical problems. Journalists Antonio Fins, Stephany Matat and Zac Anderson discuss the governor’s chances against Trump in the presidential primary, the campaign launch's embarrassing technical glitches and Trump's reaction to DeSantis entering the race.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is avoiding commenting on Trump's legal troubles as he readies his campaign for president. Journalists John Kennedy, Antonio Fins and Zac Anderson discuss DeSantis' Trump strategy, Florida lawmakers delivering a conservative wish list for DeSantis to run on and Democrats desperately searching for a candidate to take on U.S. Sen. Rick Scott.

Gov. Ron DeSantis went after Disney again with new legislation. Journalists Antonio Fins, Zac Anderson and John Kennedy discuss the governor's ongoing feud with one of the state's most iconic companies, Florida’s congressional delegation rushing to endorse Trump over DeSantis and the Florida Legislature expands a law banning the teaching of LGBTQ topics through the 12th grade.

Donald Trump responded to his arraignment in New York City with a grievance-filled speech at his Palm Beach club this week. Journalists Stephany Matat, Antonio Fins and Zac Anderson discuss Trump's response to the historic criminal case, MAGA world rallying around the indicted former president and California Gov. Gavin Newsom swiping at Florida’s governor during a stop in Sarasota.

The likelihood of Florida man Donald Trump being indicted soon has the state’s political world on edge. Journalists Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss how Trump fans are reacting to the former president's legal peril, Gov. Ron DeSantis's comments on the Trump prosecution and major bills that are moving quickly through the Legislature, including a six week abortion ban.

Gov. Ron DeSantis released a new book as a precursor to a likely presidential run. Journalists John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss the presidential platform DeSantis lays out in his book, the Florida Democratic Party's new chair and new legislation signed by the governor that gives him control over Disney World’s properties in Central Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is hinting at doing away with Advanced Placement classes in Florida amid a dispute over a Black studies course. Journalists Zac Anderson, Antonio Fins and John Kennedy discuss DeSantis' penchant for picking high-profile education fights, a push by state lawmakers to make it harder to amend Florida’s constitution and Trump ramping up his attacks on DeSantis.

Donald Trump took another swipe at Gov. Ron DeSantis recently as the former president revs up his dormant campaign. Journalists Stephany Matat, Antonio Fins and Zac Anderson discuss the feud between Trump and DeSantis, Florida lawmakers rolling out a bill that would allow people to carry guns without a concealed weapons permit and the governor unveiling his anti-woke higher education plan.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is bringing his war on woke to New College of Florida with the appointment of six new board members who are tasked with transforming the progressive school into a conservative institution. Journalists Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss the governor's latest culture war push, how COVID concerns continue to be at the forefront of DeSantis' agenda and the Florida Democratic Party's leadership turmoil.

Gov. Ron DeSantis' kicked off his second term amid buzz about a presidential run in 2024. Reporters John Kennedy, Zac Anderson and Antonio Fins discuss what DeSantis' inauguration speech might say about his presidential aspirations, the Florida Republican competing with Kevin McCarthy to become U.S. House speaker and the governor’s war on "woke" going to college.

Ron DeSantis is more fully embracing vaccine skepticism in calling for a grand jury to investigate COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers. Journalists Antonio Fins, Zac Anderson and John Kenney discuss the governor's vaccine announcement, DeSantis rising in the polls against Donald Trump amid the former president's disastrous 2024 campaign rollout and lawmakers taking another crack at solving Florida's property insurance crisis.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is writing a new book that is generating more buzz about him running for president. Journalists Zac Anderson, John Kennedy and Antonio Fins discuss the implications of DeSantis releasing a book in February, Donald Trump getting pilloried for dining with an infamous white nationalist and the Florida Legislature meeting in another emergency session to deal with the property insurance crisis.

Republicans sweep Florida government helped by shifting demographics, stumbling Democrats. Reporters John Kennedy, Antonio Fins and Stephany Matat discuss how a changing state embraced GOP messaging. And Trump is running, again. What that means in Florida and beyond.

President Joe Biden visited Florida to boost Democrats Val Demings and Charlie Crist. Journalists Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss the president's visit, Florida candidates ramping up for their final push to Election Day and former President Donald Trump rallying with U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio but not Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Marco Rubio and Val Demings traded barbs in their first and only U.S. Senate debate. Journalists Zac Anderson, Antonio Fins and John Kennedy discuss the highlights of the Senate debate, Gov. Ron DeSantis getting back out on the campaign trail after a three-week pause because of Hurricane Ian and the upcoming debate between DeSantis and Charlie Crist.

President Joe Biden toured Southwest Florida communities damaged by Hurricane Ian. Journalists Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss Biden's visit, Gov. Ron DeSantis getting heat over the timing of Ian evacuations and voting in heavily Republican communities being disrupted by the hurricane.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is facing criticism for a voter fraud crackdown. Journalists Zac Anderson, John Kennedy and Antonio Fins discuss the blowback over voter fraud charges against felons who said they had no intention of committing fraud, Florida's importance to Republican's chances of winning control of the U.S. House and efforts by LGBTQ activists to unseat DeSantis after he pushed an agenda heavily focused on LGBTQ-related issues.

Charlie Crist beat Nikki Fried in a blow out to win the Democratic nomination for governor. Reporters Antonio Fins, Zac Anderson and John Kennedy discuss Crist's victory, how he matches up against Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida's other marquee statewide race and the governor's success with his school board endorsements.

Florida Republicans are loudly denouncing the FBI's search of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago property. Journalists Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss the Florida GOP's reaction to the FBI search, Gov. Ron DeSantis rallying to Trump’s defense despite a budding rivalry between the two and Democrats slamming the governor as a "wannabe dictator" after he removed a Democratic state attorney from office.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is seeking to penalize a Miami restaurant over its drag shows. Journalists Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss the GOP's recent focus on drag performances, more problems for Florida’s troubled property insurance market and the growing rivalry between Trump and DeSantis as the delivered dueling Florida speeches.

Abortion is becoming a big issue in Florida this election cycle after the Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v Wade. Journalists Zac Anderson, John Kennedy and Antonio fins discuss the fallout in Florida from the bombshell Supreme Court decision, Gov. Ron DeSantis benefing from the Jan. 6 Committee hearings and the Democratic primary for governor heating up.

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk tweeted that he’s leaning toward supporting Ron DeSantis if he runs for president. Journalists Zac Anderson, John Kennedy and Antonio Fins discuss how Musk’s tweet factors into the presidential buzz around Florida's governor, the Democrats running for governor facing off in a candidate forum and what to watch for during Florida’s candidate qualifying period. 

Florida's ruling Republicans go silent after the Texas school shooting, despite the state's familiarity with such slaughters. Reporters John Kennedy, Antonio Fins and Jason Delgado discuss gun violence, Orlando Democrat Val Demings' bid to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and the property insurance special session.

Joe Biden is generating bipartisan backlash in Florida over his decision to ease restrictions on Cuba and Venezuela. Journalists Zac Anderson, John Kennedy and Antonio Fins discuss the fallout in Florida to Biden's Latin America policy moves, lawmakers gearing up for a special session on property insurance and the state's controversial new chief elections officer.

A bombshell report detailing the contents of a leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft ruling overturning Roe v. Wade sent shockwaves through Florida political circles. Journalists Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss the potential fallout of overturning Roe in Florida politics, more Disney legislation that is in the works and a new election law signed by the governor.  

Gov. Ron DeSantis is punishing Disney after the company spoke out against the so-called "Don't Say Gay" law. Journalists Zac Anderson, John Kennedy and Antonio Fins discuss the escalation of hostilities between DeSantis and Disney, lawmakers supporting a redistricting plan pushed by DeSantis that erases Black congressional seats and property insurance reforms that are in the works.

Republicans are in all out war against Disney, Florida’s largest employer. Journalists Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss the GOP's Disney bashing, New York trolling Florida with billboards about the so-called “Don’t say Gay” bill and a host of lawsuits that have been filed to try and overturn the GOP’s legislative agenda.

Gov. Ron DeSantis weighed in on the controversy surrounding a transgender college swimmer. Journalists Zac Anderson, John Kennedy and Antonio Fins discuss the governor's proclamation declaring a Florida swimmer the "rightful winner" against her transgender opponent, the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill generating more dysfunction among Florida Democrats and talk of lawmakers returning to Tallahassee for a special legislative session.

City and county races hinge on scorched-earth themes while Florida lawmakers spend big, then complain about inflation. Reporters John Kennedy, Antonio Fins and Kati Kokal discuss how 'Defund the Police' was weaponized in a Palm Beach County city, and mask-wearing became an issue in a mayoral race. Florida's biggest budget ever also gets scrutiny.

Florida's LGTBQ community is outraged as the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill clears the Legislature. Journalists Zac Anderson, John Kennedy and Antonio Fins discuss the controversial legislation, Florida becoming the first state to advise healthy children against getting the COVID-19 vaccine and the Legislature heading into overtime because of disagreements on the budget.

Gov. Ron DeSantis faces backlash for telling high school kids to take off their masks. Journalists John Kennedy, Zac Anderson and Antonio Fins discuss the viral moment between DeSantis and the students, Florida lawmakers nearing the end of the 60-day legislative session and what the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando says about the direction of the GOP.

Florida lawmakers advanced a pair of culture war bills touching on race and sexuality. Journalists Zac Anderson, John Kennedy and Antonio Fins discuss the hot-button legislation, the Conservative Political Action Conference kicking off this week in Orlando with Gov. Ron DeSantis in the spotlight and Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo's Senate confirmation.

The Florida House approved a ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy and a $200 million cut to school districts with mask mandates. Journalists Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss the legislative actions, former President Donald Trump coming under fire for keeping White House documents at his Palm Beach home instead of turning them over to archivists and a new poll showing Gov. Ron DeSantis in a strong position heading into the 2022 election

Gov. Ron DeSantis’s priorities are advancing through the Florida Legislature as the 60-day legislative session reaches the midpoint. Journalists Zac Anderson, John Kennedy and Antonio Fins discuss the bills DeSantis is pushing,  Mike Pence rebuking Donald Trump during a speech in Florida and President Joe Biden lashing out at the Florida Legislature over a controversial proposal dubbed the “don’t say gay” bill.

Republicans in the Florida Legislature rolled out a new elections bill that is stoking debate about voter suppression versus election integrity. Journalists Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss what's in the new legislation, questions facing Gov. Ron DeSantis over how his administration responded to a neo-Nazi rally in Orlando and Florida’s congressional redistricting effort stalling.

More friction is building between Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Biden administration. Journalists Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss the clashes between DeSantis and Biden over COVID-19 treatments and immigration enforcement, and the governor again dodging the question of whether he’s had a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot.

Gov. Ron DeSantis's office weighed in on Florida’s redistricting process with its own map. Journalists Zac Anderson, Antonio Fins and John Kennedy discuss the unusual situation of a governor submitting a redistricting map, the feud between DeSantis and Trump escalating as Roger Stone gets involved and the Florida Senate advancing controversial new legislation restricting how race is taught in schools.

Former President Donald Trump delivered a veiled criticism of his protégé in the Florida governor’s office this week. Journalists Zac Anderson, John Kennedy and Antonio Fins discuss the tension between the GOP leaders, the start of Florida's 60-day legislative session and Gov. Ron DeSantis endorsing a ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Florida politics heading into 2022 looks a lot like it has for the last 20 years, with Republicans riding high and Democrats playing catch-up. And it all starts with Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has made a name for himself nationally by defying public health recommendations. Journalists Zac Anderson and Antonio Fins look ahead and offer predictions on some of the biggest political questions as Florida enters the new year.

It was another eventful year in Florida politics. Journalists Zac Anderson, Antonio Fins and John Kennedy discuss the top political stories of the year, from battles over COVID-19 public health policy to the fallout from the Capitol riot in Florida and the early jockeying around the 2022 and even 2024 elections. 

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced legislation that could impact how race is taught in schools, and how companies approach diversity training. Reporters John Kennedy, Zac Anderson and Antonio Fins discuss the governor's proposal, a move by state-run Citizens Property Insurance voted to hike rates and COVID-19 cases rising again in Florida amid fears of Omicron.