Florida considers ‘resign-to-run’ law changes as DeSantis eyes WH run

A Florida state Republican lawmaker filed an amendment to the state’s law that would allow Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) to run for president, should he decide to declare his candidacy, without having to resign from his governor position. The proposal has prompted some opponents to urge former President Donald Trump to intervene and stop the effort.

Florida, along with a handful of other states, has rules in place requiring elected or appointed officials to resign from their position if they want to run for another office, with some exceptions. The new legislation would explicitly exempt “persons seeking the office of President or Vice President of the United States” from this rule. The change is intended to “clarify existing law,” according to the amendment.

This is not the first time such a change has been proposed. In 2007, the law was changed to open the door for then-Governor Charlie Crist to seek the vice presidency. However, Politico reports legislators reversed course in 2018 and added back a requirement that someone seeking federal office would have to submit their resignation letter ahead of the actual election.

Trump has criticized DeSantis for not formally declaring a 2024 presidential run.

“Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to campaign full-time for president, during the Florida legislative session, while collecting a salary and having the taxpayers pick up the costs for his travel and security. It’s a massive flip-flop from his position in 2018,” Steven Cheung, a Trump spokesman, previously said via email as reported by Insider.

DeSantis, who recently traveled overseas as part of an international trade mission, has stated that he will not make a decision on a 2024 presidential run until after the state’s legislative session ends in the first week of May.

At press time, it remains to be seen whether this proposed change to the Florida’s law will be successful and whether DeSantis will ultimately decide to run for president.