Rising Political Tensions: Randy Fine’s Win Challenges DeSantis in GOP Arena

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis publicly criticized newly elected GOP Congressman Randy Fine, calling him a “squish” and attributing his narrow electoral victory to personal unpopularity rather than any weakness in Trump’s support.

Quick Takes

Randy Fine won his Florida special election by 14 points, the smallest margin for a Republican in the district since 2018
DeSantis claimed voters only reluctantly supported Fine due to Trump’s endorsement, not because they liked the candidate
The feud dates back to Fine switching his endorsement from DeSantis to Trump in 2023
DeSantis previously tried to remove Fine from the legislature by nominating him for a university presidency
Fine responded by emphasizing his focus on working with Trump rather than engaging in the dispute

DeSantis Unleashes Critique of Fellow Republican

Governor Ron DeSantis did not mince words when discussing the recent special election victory of Republican Randy Fine in Florida’s 6th Congressional District. Despite Fine’s win, DeSantis characterized the 14-point margin as disappointing for a traditionally conservative district, openly attributing the relatively close race to Fine’s personal “unique problems” rather than any weakness in Republican or Trump support. The governor’s comments highlight a growing rift within Florida’s Republican leadership, especially as Fine prepares to join Congress with Trump’s endorsement.

According to reports from Fox News, DeSantis went so far as to label Fine a “squish” and suggested that voters in the district only supported him reluctantly due to former President Trump’s endorsement. “He has unique problems,” DeSantis remarked. “I saw a lot of voters that said, ‘I don’t like the guy, he repels people, but Trump endorsed him, so I’m going to take one for the team.'” The governor’s unusually harsh public criticism of a fellow Republican indicates significant tensions between the two politicians.

A History of Political Animosity

The contentious relationship between DeSantis and Fine traces back to 2023 when Fine, then a state legislator, made a highly publicized switch from supporting DeSantis’s presidential campaign to endorsing Donald Trump. This political realignment appears to have triggered lasting resentment, with DeSantis revealing during his recent comments that he had previously attempted to remove Fine from the Florida legislature by nominating him for a university presidency position. That nomination was ultimately rejected, keeping Fine in state politics.

Fine further aggravated tensions by publicly criticizing DeSantis for allegedly not addressing antisemitism effectively following the October 2023 Hamas attacks. The governor countered by accusing Fine of opposing Second Amendment rights and certain immigration enforcement proposals. Despite DeSantis’s well-known support for gun rights and strict immigration policies, Fine has emerged as a vocal critic of the governor’s leadership on several fronts, creating a significant fracture in Florida’s Republican Party infrastructure.

Republican Reactions to the Feud

While Fine has largely avoided directly responding to DeSantis’s criticisms, instead emphasizing his focus on working with Trump to “save America,” allies of the newly elected congressman have expressed significant displeasure with the governor’s public statements. Some Republican operatives have suggested that DeSantis’s open criticism could have suppressed Republican turnout in the special election, potentially endangering what should have been a safe Republican seat. One Republican operative even accused DeSantis of deliberately undermining Trump’s agenda and candidates.

Trump himself appears to remain firmly in Fine’s corner, having endorsed him and congratulated him on his victory despite financial opposition from various sources. When asked for comment on the growing tension between the governor and the congressman-elect, DeSantis’s office declined to provide any statement, suggesting the governor stands by his public assessment of Fine’s electoral performance and fitness for office.

Implications for Florida Politics

As Fine prepares to take his seat in Congress, the public feud with Florida’s governor creates an unusual dynamic for Republican politics in the state. With DeSantis serving as governor until 2026 and Fine just beginning his congressional career with Trump’s backing, the tension between these two Republican figures could potentially impact party unity and legislative cooperation on key conservative priorities. The dispute illustrates the continuing realignment within Republican politics between those aligned primarily with Trump and those who maintain independent political identities within the party.

For Florida voters who supported both DeSantis and Trump in previous elections, the growing divide between their representatives presents a challenging political landscape. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, these intra-party conflicts may either resolve as Republicans unite behind their presidential nominee or deepen as different factions compete for influence within the party structure.