The Florida legislature is set to change a state law to make it easier for Gov. Ron DeSantis to run for president, Politico reports.
State House Speaker Paul Renner and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo agreed on Tuesday that it would be a “good idea” to change a law that would require DeSantis to resign from office if he becomes the Republican nominee.
“If an individual who is Florida governor is running for president, I think he should be allowed to do it,” Passidomo told reporters. “I really do. That’s a big honor and a privilege, so it is a good idea.”
DeSantis, who was re-elected for a second term by nearly 20 points earlier this month, has not formally announced a presidential bid but has been widely discussed as a potential challenger to former President Donald Trump.
What’s the law?:
Florida law requires anyone running for a new office to put in an irrevocable letter of resignation ahead of being nominated if the two offices overlap.
The law was changed in 2008 to allow then-Gov. Charlie Crist to seek the vice presidency but lawmakers changed the law back in 2018.
Renner told reporters that the legislature had been “inconsistent” about the law, which is one reason he is open to changing it.
DeSantis-Trump feud heats up:
Tensions between the two Republicans have heated up amid speculation about DeSantis’ future.
“He says, ‘I’m only focused on the governor’s race, I’m not looking into the future.’ Well, in terms of loyalty and class, that’s really not the right answer,” Trump groused in a statement earlier this month.
