Florida Governor Ron DeSantis publicly criticized newly elected GOP Congressman Randy Fine as a “squish” after his unexpectedly narrow victory in what should have been an easy Republican win, exposing a bitter feud within the party.
Key Takeaways
- DeSantis slammed Fine for winning by only 14 points in a traditionally strong Republican district, calling him a “squish” with “unique problems” that repelled voters.
- The bitter relationship stems from Fine’s 2023 decision to withdraw support from DeSantis and endorse Trump for president.
- DeSantis accused Fine of opposing Second Amendment rights and proper immigration enforcement policies.
- Fine responded by emphasizing his focus on working with Trump, who had endorsed him despite the governor’s apparent disapproval.
- Republican operatives criticized DeSantis for potentially suppressing GOP turnout with his public attacks on a fellow Republican.
DeSantis Unloads on Fellow Republican After Underwhelming Victory
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis didn’t mince words when addressing newly elected GOP Congressman Randy Fine’s performance in a recent special election. Despite Fine winning his race for Florida’s 6th Congressional District, DeSantis publicly criticized the victory as disappointingly narrow for what should have been a Republican stronghold. Fine won by just 14 points, the smallest margin for a Republican in the district since 2018, prompting DeSantis to attribute the lackluster performance to Fine’s personal shortcomings rather than any broader political trend.
“This is a Trump +12 district, and this is a guy who, for a variety of reasons, has some unique problems,” DeSantis told reporters. “He repels people. People do not want to be around him.” The governor’s harsh assessment included labeling Fine a “squish” and suggesting that Republican voters reluctantly supported him solely because of former President Donald Trump’s endorsement, essentially claiming they “took one for the team” rather than genuinely supporting Fine.
A Relationship Defined by Political Betrayal
The animosity between DeSantis and Fine isn’t new. Their relationship soured dramatically in 2023 when Fine, who had initially supported DeSantis for president, switched his allegiance to Trump. This reversal came as a public blow to DeSantis during his presidential campaign. Fine further intensified the rift by criticizing DeSantis for allegedly not addressing antisemitism forcefully enough following the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, a particularly stinging criticism given Fine’s status as Florida’s only Jewish Republican legislator.
DeSantis even revealed that he had previously attempted to remove Fine from the Florida legislature by nominating him for a university presidency position, which was ultimately rejected. This admission exposed the depth of the governor’s desire to distance himself from Fine long before the recent congressional race. The governor’s willingness to air such internal political maneuvers publicly demonstrates how completely their working relationship has deteriorated.
Policy Disagreements Fuel the Feud
Beyond personal politics, DeSantis pointed to substantive policy disagreements as reasons for his disapproval of Fine. The governor specifically accused Fine of opposing Second Amendment rights and resisting stronger immigration enforcement proposals. These accusations strike at core conservative principles and represent DeSantis’ attempt to frame Fine as out of step with Republican priorities, despite Fine’s claims of alignment with Trump’s agenda.
Fine responded to DeSantis’ criticisms by emphasizing his focus on working with Trump rather than engaging in the governor’s criticisms. “I am focused on helping President Trump save America and keeping the House,” Fine said, strategically aligning himself with the former president while sidestepping direct confrontation with DeSantis. This response highlights Fine’s political calculation that in the current Republican landscape, proximity to Trump trumps maintaining good relations with the governor.
Republican Infighting Raises Concerns
The public spectacle of Republican-on-Republican attacks has raised concerns among party operatives about potential consequences for voter turnout and party unity. Allies of Fine expressed frustration with DeSantis’ public criticisms, suggesting they may have suppressed Republican voter participation. One unnamed Republican operative went further, accusing DeSantis of “single-handedly undermining President Trump’s endorsed candidates and agenda” through his attacks on Fine.
Despite the internal strife, Fine secured his victory and received congratulations from Trump, who praised him for overcoming significant financial opposition. The contrast between Trump’s public support and DeSantis’ harsh criticism underscores the competing power centers within Florida’s Republican politics. As Fine heads to Washington, this episode reveals the complex and sometimes bitter rivalries that persist beneath the surface of party unity, potentially foreshadowing further tensions as Republicans navigate the post-2024 political landscape.
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’
