Gov. DeSantis, Sen. Rubio set to release new books in 2023, spurring more talk of Presidential run

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis is set to debut his first book written after being sworn in as Governor in 2019.

DeSantis wrote his first book in 2011, a year before winning his first congressional race.

The new book is titled “The Courage to Be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Revival” and it’s set to be released at the end of February.

On the publisher’s website, the book is described as, “A firsthand account from the blue-collar boy who grew up to take on Disney and Dr. Fauci”.

“It’s another mechanism for keeping a national profile,” said Dr. Terri Fine, a political science professor at UCF.

Fine said it’s no surprise the announcement of a new book is adding to speculation DeSantis is preparing to launch a 2024 run for President.

“Certainly, publishing a book that would be just within a year of the first primaries and caucuses is a way to keep people thinking about, talking about and reflecting on any individual’s leadership and decision-making,” said Fine.

But DeSantis isn’t the only Florida politician rumored to have his eye on the Presidency.

There’s former President and Florida resident Donald Trump who has already thrown his name in the hat.

And then there’s US Senator Marco Rubio, who has run for President in the past.

Rubio also has a new book titled “Decades of Decadence” set to hit the shelves in mid-June.

For Florida Democrats like Jacksonville State Representative Angie Nixon, a Trump-DeSantis-Rubio Republican Primary is an undesirable prospect.

“And we definitely don’t need to allow these folks to matriculate higher to a higher office because they’re just going to do more damage to the country,” said Nixon.

But Fine said with Florida picking up an additional electoral vote after the 2020 census, Floridian candidates arguably have an advantage in 2024.

“Florida will play a more prominent role in this election of President than it ever has. So, from that perspective somebody from Florida if they can get nominated, they’re going to get that favorite son benefit,” said Fine.

There’s never been an American President born in Florida.

If Rubio and DeSantis do run, they’d both have a shot at being the first.

Hitting even closer to home, DeSantis was also born in Jacksonville.

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