Claremont Institute Heads to Florida, Lauding DeSantis Leadership as ‘Template for Any Red State in America’
Mary Margaret Olohan /
The Claremont Institute is expanding its state activities to Florida, praising Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for providing “the first template for any red state in America” through his leadership.
DeSantis met with Claremont Institute President Ryan Williams on Wednesday in the Florida state Capitol, where the conservative leaders announced that Claremont’s new activities will be based out of Tallahassee, Florida.
First lady Casey DeSantis announced the news in a tweet Wednesday afternoon, saying she is “thrilled to welcome” Claremont’s Scott Yenor “to his new home in Tallahassee.”
“Protecting Americans from infringing woke ideology is important work, and we are grateful Scott and the Claremont Institute picked Florida to continue their mission,” she said.
“Protecting and restoring the American way of life is the most important work Governors and state legislators can do right now,” Williams said in a statement.
“Governor DeSantis has shown fearless intellectual and political leadership in the fight against woke leftism,” he added. “We are thrilled to help him and his legislative allies continue this important work as part of our ongoing efforts across the states by creating a new Tallahassee-based position of Senior Director of State Coalitions.”
The Claremont Institute is an increasingly influential think tank, dubbed by The New York Times the “nerve center of the American Right.” It is dedicated to restoring “the principles of the American Founding to their rightful, preeminent authority in our national life.”
In a press release, the organization noted that the new Tallahassee outpost will “continue that work with a keen eye to using Florida as the first template for any red state in America.”
“We are bringing Claremont Institute state activity to Florida for a few reasons, not least of which is the bold executive and legislative leadership in the Sunshine State,” the release adds. “We are excited to help continue this work by educating allies and leaders alike on effective policy strategies to combat the woke regime in Florida and America at large.”
The move comes amid speculation that DeSantis is eyeing a 2024 presidential nomination. The governor has not confirmed these rumors, but he has also not denied them—prompting heavy criticism from former President Donald Trump, who dubbed the governor “Ron DeSanctimonious” at a November rally.
“I spend my time delivering results for the people of Florida and fighting against [President] Joe Biden,” DeSantis said at a press conference Wednesday, regarding Trump’s latest criticisms. “That’s how I spend my time. I don’t spend my time trying to smear other Republicans.”
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