Ron DeSantis distances himself from GOP Special Election losses

DeSantis takes hands-off position on GOP legislative election loss in Hillsborough

Gov Ron DeSantis speaking at the FDLE office in Tampa on March 31, 2026. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)TAMPA — In the aftermath of last Tuesday’s Democratic upset victory in the Florida Senate District 14 special election in Hillsborough County, Gov. Ron DeSantis has drawn some shade for his refusal to help Josie Tomkow, the Republican who lost to Democratic union organizer Brian Nathan. He won despite her 10-1 advantage in fundraising a…

Ron DeSantis distances himself from GOP Special Election losses

Gov. Ron DeSantis isn’t taking the blame for two high-profile Democratic wins in legislative Special Elections last week. In House District 87, Democrat Emily Gregory defeated Jon Maples, a candidate President Donald Trump backed. And in Senate District 14, Democrat Brian Nathan upset Republican Rep. Josie Tomkow. DeSantis, speaking in Tampa, focused his remarks primarily on the SD 14 race, which filled the opening left by Jay Collins when he wa…

‘I Was Not Involved’ – DeSantis On GOP Special Election Loss

Gov. Ron DeSantis didn’t back Polk City Republican Josie Tomkow in the Senate District 14 special election she narrowly lost last week because she often didn’t support his agenda, he told reporters Tuesday.