Ron DeSantis, 44, will be sworn in for his second term as Florida governor on Tuesday as observers across the country look out for signs of higher political ambitions – primarily against Donald Trump for a White House run in 2024.
The DeSantis team pulls out all the stops with a number of hot-ticket events throughout the week, including a Michelin-star candlelit dinner and a formal ball with a live band.
The governor also apparently had a large practical role in the planning.
A member of the first chairman, Jeff Hartley of Smith, Bryan & Myers, told Business Insider that “every detail was overseen by both the governor and the first lady.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis and their three children Madison, Mason and Mamie waved waves during a series of dedication ceremonies Monday in Tallahassee, Fla
The exclusive events and fanfare surrounding DeSantis’ inauguration have only fueled rumors and cemented speculation about possible intentions to run for president midway through his second term.
DeSantis’ COVID-19 response, including rejecting the Biden administration’s lockdowns, mask and vaccine mandates, put him in the national spotlight and earned the Florida governor growing popularity with Republicans across the country.
He could potentially do what other GOP politicians cannot – unite pro- and anti-MAGA Republicans in a post-Trump era.
Multiple polls place DeSantis as the favorite for the Republican nominee in the 2024 presidential election — even over former President Trump, who announced his third candidacy in November.
Florida’s housewarming celebrations began Monday night with an intimate cocktail hour and candlelight dinner.
DeSantis’ son assists with a microphone review the day before the second governor’s inauguration on Monday, January 2nd
An estimated 250 to 300 people attended the dinner, which saw DeSantis make brief remarks before Michelin-starred restaurant Carbone served its famously spicy Rigatoni vodka.
DeSantis will take his oath of office on the steps of Florida’s Historic Capitol Building in downtown Tallahassee Tuesday noon and deliver a speech marking his second and final term as Florida Governor. This is the only public event – while all other initiation activities are by invitation only.
There’s a two-term limit on governors in the Sunshine State, which has left critics and fans alike wondering what’s next for Ron DeSantis.
On Tuesday afternoon, Florida First Lady Casey DeSanits will deliver a “toast to a million mommies” intended to honor the 1.1 million women she mobilized to support her husband’s re-election.
A worker puts up a street sign with the name of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in preparation for Tuesday’s inauguration
DeSantis will be sworn in Tuesday noon at Florida’s Historic Capitol Building in downtown Tallahassee. Other opening events include a candlelight dinner and the opening ball
The two-day party, where the overall theme will reflect DeSantis’ campaign motto “The Free State of Florida,” will conclude with Tuesday night’s opening ball.
A person briefed on the planning told Insider that the DeSantises brought a band and wanted guests to stay late and dance the night away at the ball.
The celebrations are not unusual. DeSantis also held two days of events during his inauguration in 2019, including an appreciation event for military veterans and first responders and a luncheon with lawmakers at the Florida Capitol.
Some of the lavish events this year come with a hefty price tag.
A breakdown of the sponsorship packages first received by Politico revealed that five people who donated $1 million will receive the inaugural chair designation, which includes the opportunity to attend multiple inaugural events.
Those who have paid the price can attend the candlelit dinner, Inaugural Ball, Toast to a Million Mamas, receive premium seating for the DeSantis Inauguration Ceremony, and have a photo with the Governor.
Other packages vary, ranging in price from $25,000 to $500,000. These tickets also give donors access to many of the same events but with fewer tickets.
Proceeds from ticket sales for various inaugural events will go to the Florida Republican Party.
Florida state law does not limit how much an individual or corporation can contribute to a state political party or political committee.
This week’s events will also honor Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Agriculture Commissioner-elect Wilton Simpson.
A street sign was replaced Monday with “Ron DeSantis Way” in preparation for Tuesday’s dedication
DeSantis posted a picture with his wife and three children during the Star Spangled Banner at a football game on New Year’s Eve
Not the entire Florida delegation will attend Tuesday’s inauguration, given that it is the same day as the start of the new 118th Congress up in Washington, DC
DeSantis won re-election in the 2022 midterm elections with a staggering 19.4 percent against Republican-Democrat Charlie Crist. Two third-party candidates were only able to take 0.6 percent off the two frontrunners.
While DeSantis is currently the state’s youngest governor, he is close to being dethroned of that title by Trump’s former White House press secretary and governor-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders, 40, in Arkansas.
DeSantis and First Lady Casey share three children – Madison, 6, Mason, 4, and Mamie, 2.
First Lady Casey’s “toast” will take the place of what was traditionally tea with Florida’s first lady, a Republican strategist has said.
The event will celebrate Gov. DeSantis-backed candidates who, meanwhile, won seats on the school board to have people in place who align with his agenda, which includes giving parents a greater say in their children’s education admit.
Members of the conservative group Moms for Liberty are expected.