DeSantis Critiques Newly Elected Florida Congressman, Calling Him a Squish

Ron DeSantis heightened his criticism of Randy Fine on Wednesday, attributing the representative-elect’s thin victory in a traditionally Republican district to unique challenges he faced during the campaign.

Fine, who was endorsed by Donald Trump, secured his victory in a special election for the seat formerly held by Congressman Mike Waltz with a margin of just 14 points, the narrowest win for a Republican in the district since 2018.

DeSantis did not hold back in his assessment, labeling Fine a “squish,” suggesting that voters did not enthusiastically support him at the polls.

He stated, “The president really had to bail him out at the end because this race would have been much closer had the president sat on the sidelines. I think these were voters who didn’t like Randy Fine but were willing to accept him to keep a Republican in the seat.”

During the press conference, DeSantis also challenged media interpretations portraying Fine’s win as reflective of Trump’s political agenda.

“I don’t think that’s accurate for this district,” DeSantis asserted. “The candidate is Randy Fine, who, frankly, repels many people, including those in his own party. The state legislature had even suggested that I nominate him as president of Florida Atlantic University to keep him out of the legislature.”

Following his remarks, DeSantis recalled that lawmakers were so concerned about Fine’s effectiveness that they preferred to see him take an academic role rather than remaining in politics.

As their contentious history positions them at odds, tensions between DeSantis and Fine can be traced back to 2023. Fine was the first Florida Republican to shift his endorsement from DeSantis to Trump amid the ongoing 2024 Republican presidential primary.

In a subsequent op-ed, Fine criticized DeSantis, alleging he failed to adequately address antisemitism in light of the Hamas attacks on Israeli citizens on October 7, 2023.

On several occasions, DeSantis accused Fine of advocating for stringent gun control measures while also opposing his immigration policies intended to bolster law enforcement efforts. He alleged that Fine had pushed for a de facto sanctuary city policy, which clashed with his administration’s objectives.

Reacting to DeSantis’ remarks, Fine took to social media, referring to the governor’s comments as a reflection of desperation.

He wrote, “A dying star burns hottest before it fades into oblivion. My focus is on collaborating with President Trump to shield this country from Democratic policies, not aligning myself with them. Let’s proceed.”

Fine’s supporters expressed frustration over DeSantis’ public criticisms, emphasizing that Fine’s election adds crucial strength to the GOP’s slim House majority, which has been diminished as several members shifted to roles in the Trump administration.

A Republican operative with connections to Trump’s circle expressed discontent with DeSantis’ approach, stating, “Ron and Casey DeSantis demonstrate disloyalty and consistently prioritize their agenda over the president’s. With the congressional majority at risk in their region, they failed to support Trump’s endorsed candidates. Worse yet, Ron openly attacked Trump’s candidates leading up to the special election, potentially dampening Republican turnout.”

Additionally, the operative noted, “DeSantis’ personal politics once again undermined the Trump agenda and the broader MAGA movement.”

The office of Governor DeSantis did not provide a comment regarding this evolving situation. As the dynamics within the GOP continue to shift, the fallout from this public feud may have significant implications for both Fine’s political future and DeSantis’ standing among party members.

As the political landscape becomes increasingly complex, observers are keenly watching how these conflicts will affect strategic alliances ahead of the next election cycle.

Fine’s narrow victory not only highlights ongoing divisions within the Florida Republican Party but also raises questions about candidate endorsements and the consequences of factionalism in American politics.

With each escalation in rhetoric, it becomes crucial for GOP leaders to navigate these relationships thoughtfully as they aim to present a united front in the face of growing Democratic opposition.