DeSantis Decries ‘Woke-Mind Virus’ in Speech to Ohio Republican Faithful

Akron, Ohio—During a speech to the Summit County Republican Party, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis received a warm reception from an audience eager to consider him as a candidate for President in 2024. Although the former President Donald Trump remains the frontrunner in current opinion polls, DeSantis could provide a viable alternative candidate. DeSantis’ mother and wife come from Ohio, making him a candidate with ties to the Buckeye State, a key swing state.  DeSantis spoke about how he felt leftist ideology was attempting to “indoctrinate children.” He spoke of claims that America is an inherently racist nation and criticized the idea of telling second-grade students that they may have been born in the wrong body. He was also critical of efforts to allow boys to use girl’s bathrooms and to permit males to compete in female sports after they identify as transgender. The Governor prompted enthusiastic applause from the conservative audience.

Ohio is considered a state that could help determine the Republican candidate in 2024. Despite Trump’s victory in the state in 2020, he lost the critical Summit County, where the speech was delivered.

DeSantis has been vocal about his belief that true leaders do not rely on polls to guide their actions. During his speech, he highlighted that he had not taken a single poll on any issue.

The event was attended by several notable Ohio Republicans, including former state lawmaker Gary Cates and Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Megan Shanahan.