DeSantis makes the case that conservatism ‘works’ as Florida boasts of success
Gov. Ron DeSantis joins ‘Hang Out with Sean Hannity’ to discuss mass immigration to Florida and why green states like New York and California are experiencing population decline.
For many Americans, moving to Florida isn’t just about the weather — it’s about escaping a “spendthrift” government that wastes taxpayer dollars.
Gov. Ron DeSantis told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that the state’s massive 1.4 million Republican voter registration numbers are driven by results: a 50-year low crime rate, high levels of educational freedom and a refusal to “hunt” citizens to pay income taxes. From cops fleeing “sad” mayors to financial giants like Charles Schwab, the message is clear: The American Dream has officially moved to the State of Light.
“No matter what we’re running for, we’re going to be able to show that conservatism works. When you use it aggressively, recklessly, when you show leadership, when you cover all the issues, you leave no stone unturned, you have no flesh on the bone, you produce historic results,” said DeSantis in the latest “Hang Out with Sean Hannity” podcast, which aired on Tuesday.
About one month ago, the Florida Chamber of Commerce told Fox News Digital that more than $4 million in wealth moves into the state every hour, and is on the verge of surpassing Australia as the world’s 14th largest economy.
OVER $126M IN 60 DAYS — FLORIDA REAL ESTATE TYCOONS SAY BLUE-STATE WEALTH MOVE IS NOW ON
“Part of the secret sauce in Florida is that we’re all on the same page,” CEO Mark Wilson said earlier. “I always say, if Florida was a stock, I’d invest everything I had in it. It’s because of our strategy to diversify the economy and our focus on business growth and job growth.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis watches during the pro-am before the Valspar Championship at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 18, 2026, in Palm Harbor, Florida. (Getty Images)
DeSantis said that despite having 4 million more residents than New York, Florida’s annual budget is half that of the Empire State. Additionally, state lawmakers have legislative plans in the pipeline that would provide a path to zero estate taxes.
“The problem with socialism, in the end, you run out of other people’s money. They can’t balance the circle. They charge taxes, people leave, businesses leave, they go into a deep hole, they go back to the well, and it’s just a vicious cycle,” said the Florida governor.
“Florida leads the nation by a country mile [in income migration],” Wilson previously confirmed. “States like New York, Illinois and California are losing more than $1 million an hour. So, if you look at the death rate that New York has right now, for example, New Yorkers are looking at raising income taxes, looking at raising property taxes.”
Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson talks to Fox News Digital about the latest statistics on population growth and wealth migration to the Sunshine State.
“If you sit there and say California has lower taxes than Florida, you’re lying. Everybody knows you’re lying,” DeSantis said of the Golden State’s leadership. “If you’re going to try to sell snake oil, you know you’re crossing a line where people know it’s BS”
In recent years, Florida has become increasingly known for poaching law enforcement in green cities by offering financial incentives and what the governor calls a “culture of patronage.”
“We have a good tradition of supporting law enforcement,” said DeSantis. “If you’re in Chicago and you’re going through a situation, you’re going to have the mayor to decide, right? Here people have your back and it makes a difference and people feel like they’re being respected.”
“And guess what? We have a 50-year low crime rate,” he added.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Joins ‘Varney & Co.’ talking about property tax exemptions, AI state legislation and next year’s midterm elections.
High taxes and crime do not equal high quality, as evidenced by the quality of Florida’s higher education, DeSantis also pointed out.
“We are ranked number 1 [for] public higher education for 10 years in a row… but the truth is that money does not produce a better quality of life for the people it taxes,” he said.
“Charles Schwab, he’s starting this big, very successful financial company in San Francisco. He grew up in Northern Cal … but he moved to Florida,” DeSantis added. “What did he tell me, I’m seeing him for the first time after moving here? It’s the best decision he’s ever made.”
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Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Fla., discusses New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Florida’s budget proposal, Palantir’s move to state and GOP lawmakers seeking to curb luxury goods exports to Cuba through ‘Varney & Co.’
Further evidence that the “Florida model” is popular can also be found in voter registration data.
“We had 300,000 more Democrats in this state when I ran in ’18 in that tough election… Today, we have over 1.4 million registered Republicans. We’ve never seen a shift like this in modern American history,” DeSantis said.
“We probably have the most diverse country… from Pensacola to South Beach… there’s something here for everyone.”
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