Ron Sachs, a Jewish state representative in Florida, has made a rare move in his state by boldly endorsing President Trump, contrary to the prominent Republican Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis. Sachs’s endorsement is extremely noteworthy because Florida is known for its large population of religious right conservatives. DeSantis has long refused to endorse the controversial president and ran away from the idea of supporting Trump in the upcoming election.
But Sachs has chosen to buck the trend and openly express his support for the president. “President Trump’s actions and accomplishments are undeniable,” said Sachs in an official statement. “Therefore, I cannot in good conscience be neutral when it comes to this election. I strongly support Donald Trump and his crusade to Make America Great Again.”
Sachs is not the only Jewish lawmaker to show support for the president in Florida, but he is the most prominent. This move is a symbol of the fracturing of the Republican party in the state. It may also show that Jewish Republicans feel more comfortable with Trump than they do with DeSantis, given the president’s appeal to a certain segment of the Jewish population in Florida.
Despite the governor’s refusal to support Trump or invite the president to the state, many Republican leaders of the state have accepted Trump’s endorsement, signalling that they may be ready to join Sachs in promoting the president’s policies and vision for America. With the election looming, Sachs’s endorsement of Trump may well influence how other Jewish lawmakers in Florida vote, showing that he is a leader who is willing to break rank from the Republican party mainstream.