Lake County Gazette

The Lake County GOP celebrated presidential candidate Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s mid-May speech at the Peoria and Tazewell County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner.

“Ron DeSantis in Illinois!!” Lake County GOP said on Facebook. 

During the speech, DeSantis intensified his criticism of "woke" policies in big businesses and announced his intention to sign legislation eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion language from public institutions in Florida. He received strong support from more than 1,100 Republicans in attendance, applauding his attacks on Democratic policies regarding public safety, border issues, transgender issues, and COVID pandemic rules. He also targeted business policies, including environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) investment strategies, and criticized Walt Disney Co. for opposing Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law. DeSantis took jabs at Illinois and Governor JB Pritzker, blaming the state for losing residents to Florida and accusing Pritzker of allowing his family to stay in Florida during the pandemic. 

He also attacked President Joe Biden, claiming that Biden has caused more damage than any president in recent history. DeSantis' speech drew criticism from Illinois Democrats, including Pritzker, who called him an authoritarian career politician unfit for public office, according to Politico. While the majority of Republicans in the convention center had voted for former President Donald Trump in the 2020 general election, many were open to the possibility of a new face at the top of the GOP ticket in 2024. Illinois Republicans expressed a desire for leaders with conservative values, good conduct, and character. The event took place in central Illinois, a predominantly Republican territory, and drew a large crowd, prompting organizers to expand the venue. DeSantis, who has already made stops in early primary states, is likely not relying on Illinois to secure delegates for a potential presidential run but aims to gather support from Republican donors in the state. The event's attendance surpassed the previous year's dinner headlined by former Vice President Mike Pence, who is also expected to announce a presidential run.

DeSantis also targeted issues on tax rates, and criminal justice reform, and has emphasized the importance of rejecting "soft on crime" policies. He expressed his opposition to defunding law enforcement and abolishing cash bail. Throughout his speech, DeSantis advocated for conservative values and emphasized the need to fight against "woke ideologies" and defend freedom.

The Florida governor noted the speech on Facebook afterward. 

“The fight for freedom marches on in Central IL! Thank you to Darin LaHood, and the huge crowd who joined us, for the opportunity to share a message that matters: freedom works and boldness is rewarded,” DeSantis said on Facebook. “We understand the threat posed by woke ideology. We fight woke across the board. We fight it in the halls of the legislature, we fight it in the schools. We also fight it in the bureaucracy, and in corporate America. We fight woke because we can't have our society devolve into one where truth is optional and where merit and achievement don't matter. We can never, ever surrender to the woke mob. We've made the state of Florida the place where woke goes to die. ”