Staff Reports
According to Republican strategists, an internal dispute within the party over Florida’s African American history curriculum is diverting attention from Governor Ron DeSantis’s campaign reboot efforts. The conflict initially started as a disagreement with Vice President Kamala Harris but has now escalated to DeSantis’s 2024 campaign openly criticizing Representative Byron Donalds, the only black Republican in Florida’s congressional delegation and a rising star in the GOP.
"Arizona GOP gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake called @ByronDonalds "a good man and a patriot" before critiquing DeSantis's team. "These attacks against him are complete nonsense," she continued." https://t.co/iTPXHSSIFt
— Kari Lake War Room (@KariLakeWarRoom) July 28, 2023
Donalds expressed mild disagreement with Florida’s education standards, stating that while they were generally comprehensive and accurate, the inclusion of a sentence that highlighted the personal benefits gained by enslaved African Americans was inappropriate. DeSantis officials swiftly responded, accusing conservative voices in the federal government, including Donalds, of perpetuating false narratives. They insisted that Florida would not hide the truth for political convenience.
This controversy has led to a public back-and-forth between the DeSantis campaign and Donalds, with the latter reiterating his endorsement of former President Donald Trump’s candidacy and accusing his critics of misinterpreting his words for political gain. The involvement of other prominent Republicans and Trump campaign officials further heightened the intensity of the feud.
While some Republican experts cautioned against DeSantis continuing the feud with Donalds, arguing that it distracts from the goal of defeating Trump, the governor himself joined the battle by subtly criticizing Donalds during a campaign stop in Iowa. This dispute comes at a time when DeSantis’s campaign has faced several challenges, including declining poll numbers and fundraising, as well as staff layoffs.
The general perception of DeSantis as a Trump-alternative candidate who could offer a drama-free approach to governance has begun to erode. As a result, he plans to refocus his messaging on economic issues during campaign stops in New Hampshire. However, the ongoing feud with Donalds threatens to overshadow his campaign reset and is drawing subtle criticisms from other Republicans.
Some political strategists argue that DeSantis needs to prioritize his battle against Trump if he hopes to succeed in the 2024 primary race. They emphasize the importance of defeating Trump in key states like Iowa or New Hampshire to undermine his dominance in the race. However, overcoming Trump’s popularity among GOP primary voters is a challenging task, as DeSantis himself has experienced. Winning in these early primary states could significantly alter the national political landscape.
In conclusion, the feud over Florida’s African American history curriculum has shifted attention away from Governor DeSantis’s campaign reboot. This dispute with Representative Donalds has escalated into a public spectacle, with both sides exchanging criticisms and endorsements. While some Republicans caution against prolonging the conflict, DeSantis himself has engaged in the battle. The outcome of this feud could impact DeSantis’s chances in the primary race against Trump. Winning in key states like Iowa and New Hampshire is crucial to challenging Trump’s dominance.
