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Ron DeSantis pays tribute to cancer survivor wife Casey in State of the State speech
DeSantis pays tribute to cancer survivor wife Casey in State of the State speech tearing into Biden and gender-affirming care – and vowing to keep Florida as the ‘No. 1’ state
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis delivered his State of the State address Tuesday
- Comes as speculation mounts he could launch a presidential bid any day now
- DeSantis will continue touring the country this week with stops in Alabama, Iowa and Nevada before heading to New Hampshire later this month
Ron DeSantis showered praises on his wife Casey as he laid out his manifesto for Florida and a glimpse into his likely 2024 presidential campaign at his State of the State address.
The Florida Governor promised to ensure his state remains the ‘No. 1′ in the U.S. and attacked President Joe Biden in his speech to the Florida legislature as its lawmakers prepare for a behemoth two-month session to pass a slew of DeSantis’ agenda.
He was speaking as Republicans filed a bill to ban abortion after six weeks.
The Republican touted economic growth, low unemployment and a budget surplus and pushed pledges to have parents more involved in education and a clamp down on illegal immigration.
Ron DeSantis laid out his manifesto for Florida and a glimpse into his likely 2024 presidential campaign at his State of the State address on Tuesday
During his speech, DeSantis showered praises on wife Casey DeSantis, who is a breast cancer survivor. The Florida first lady is pictured holding the couple’s middle child, Mason, 4, at the State of the State address at the Capitol building in Tallahassee on Tuesday
DeSantis was speaking to the Florida legislature, which has a Republican supermajority, as it begins a consequential two-month session where lawmakers plan to pass a series of laws in line with the governor’s agenda
‘Florida is No. 1, and working together, we will ensure that Florida remains the No. 1 state in the United States,’ he told lawmakers on Tuesday.
‘Working together, we have met big challenges, and we led the nation on many big issues. We don’t make excuses. We don’t complain. We just produce results’.
He slammed Biden for his ‘catch and release policies’ at the border and vowed to ‘put Floridians first’.
Casey DeSantis drew the biggest ovation when her husband celebrated her work in ‘Florida’s battle against cancer’ – after she battled breast cancer and following his announcement last week that his wife is now cancer free.
‘I can tell you – she is cancer free and she is doing better than ever,’ DeSantis repeated during his speech on Tuesday.
The Florida first lady was in attendance at the speech with the couple’s middle child and only son, Mason, 4. Their two daughters Madison, 6, and Mamie, who turns 3 later this month.
‘Mason and I are excited to watch Gov. Ron DeSantis’s state of the state address this morning,’ Casey posted to her Twitter with an image of her and Mason in front of the Florida State flag and the American flag.
Keeping with her Jackie O inspired look, Casey donned a pink tea-length dress with white elbow-length gloves, white point-toe heels and pearl earrings.
Concluding his remarks on Tuesday, DeSantis urged Florida’s Republican supermajority legislature to ‘ignore all the background noise’ as they come into session and remember their mission.
‘We will stand strong. We will hold the line. We won’t back down. And I can promise you this: You ain’t seen nothing yet,’ DeSantis said.
Speaking for roughly 20 minutes, DeSantis was caught on the microphone telling the Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo that he intentionally wanted to keep the remarks short and sweet.
‘I tried to make that shorter than the others – I think I did,’ DeSantis was heard saying as he waved to the cheering legislature at the conclusion of his remarks. ‘It was short. Yeah, I just wanted it to be short.’
Casey DeSantis posted an image of her and the couple’s son Mason, 4, ahead of the remarks. Their two daughters Madison, 6, and Mamie, 2, did not attend the remarks
