Florida Governor Ron DeSantis publicly criticized newly elected Congressman Randy Fine for his unexpectedly narrow victory in what should have been a comfortable Republican district, exposing deepening rifts within Florida’s GOP leadership.
Key Insights
- Randy Fine won his special election by just 14 percentage points, the smallest margin for a Republican in his district since 2018, despite Trump’s endorsement.
- DeSantis labeled Fine a “squish” on key conservative issues and suggested voters only reluctantly supported Fine due to Trump’s backing.
- The feud stems from Fine’s 2023 decision to switch his endorsement from DeSantis to Trump, followed by accusations about DeSantis’ response to antisemitism.
- DeSantis claims Fine opposed Second Amendment rights and immigration enforcement proposals during his time in the state legislature.
- Fine has responded by emphasizing his commitment to working with President Trump rather than engaging in the governor’s criticisms.
A Victory Under Scrutiny
Governor Ron DeSantis didn’t mince words when addressing Randy Fine’s recent congressional victory, suggesting the newly elected representative barely squeaked by in what should have been a Republican stronghold. Fine secured his seat with a 14-point margin over his Democratic opponent, a significantly narrower win than recent Republican performances in Florida’s 6th District. DeSantis attributed this underwhelming performance not to any weakness in Republican policy positions or Trump’s influence, but specifically to Fine’s personal unpopularity among constituents.
The governor’s criticism was particularly pointed, labeling Fine a “squish” – a term used in conservative circles to describe Republicans perceived as insufficiently committed to core conservative principles. “I think the reason why the race was close wasn’t because of Trump or anything. It’s because of Randy Fine, who has his own unique problems,” DeSantis told reporters. He further claimed that voters in the district “took one for the team” by voting for Fine solely due to Trump’s endorsement.
A Fractured Political Relationship
The contentious relationship between the two Florida Republicans has a complicated history. According to Fox News reporting, DeSantis revealed that he had previously attempted to remove Fine from the state legislature by nominating him for a university presidency, a position that ultimately went to someone else. The governor’s frustration appears to have intensified after Fine publicly switched his endorsement from DeSantis to Trump during the 2023 presidential primary campaign, marking a significant personal and political betrayal in the governor’s eyes.
Their disagreements extend beyond personal loyalty to policy matters. DeSantis accused Fine of opposing Second Amendment rights during his tenure in the state legislature and claimed Fine worked against key immigration enforcement proposals. The governor also referenced their clash over antisemitism, responding to Fine’s previous criticism that DeSantis hadn’t adequately addressed antisemitism following the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. These cumulative tensions have created what appears to be an irreparable rift between the two Republican figures.
Political Fallout and Republican Response
Fine’s response to the governor’s remarks has been notably restrained, focusing instead on his alignment with Trump. “I’m looking forward to working with President Trump to implement his America First agenda and secure a House Republican majority,” Fine stated, effectively sidestepping direct engagement with DeSantis. This approach reflects Fine’s strategic decision to maintain his association with Trump rather than escalate tensions with the governor, recognizing where his political support now lies.
The public nature of DeSantis’ criticism has raised concerns among Republican strategists about party unity. Allies of Fine have expressed frustration that the governor’s comments could have suppressed Republican turnout in an important election. One Republican operative quoted by Fox News went further, accusing DeSantis of “attempting to undermine Trump and his endorsed candidates,” suggesting the governor’s remarks reflect broader tensions within the party rather than just personal animosity toward Fine.
Despite the internal friction, Trump himself has remained supportive of Fine, congratulating him on his victory and highlighting that Fine prevailed “despite being outspent.” As these tensions continue to simmer, they reflect the complex and evolving power dynamics within Florida’s Republican Party, where allegiances to different conservative leaders can significantly impact political careers and electoral outcomes.
Sources:
- DeSantis slams GOP winner in Florida special election: ‘He’s a squish’
- DeSantis blasts newly elected Florida GOP congressman, continuing history of attacks: ‘He’s a squish’
