2021 Man of the YEAR: Gov. Ron DeSantis

Law Enforcement's Greatest Advocate.  

By Joel E. Gordon and George Beck, Ph.D.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis regularly crushes the internet with announcements of new initiatives to keep Florida on the cutting edge of real progress. The 43-year-old Harvard Law graduate and former U.S. Navy JAG officer is often seen roughhousing a disingenuous press most eloquently. 

Gov. DeSantis comes from blue-collar stock. As Florida's 46th governor, he fights for the working men and women, who, because of the coronavirus, have suffered greatly in many ways, including governmental overreach by way of loss of employment due to vaccine mandates. "No police officer, firefighter, nurse, or anyone should lose their job because of COVID jabs." We agree. Individual liberty and freedom are hallmarks of America, and they should not be disregarded for political expediency. 

Gov. DeSantis' approach to battle the virus without mandates or lockdowns produced a 90% decrease in cases since August and a reduction in hospitalizations. Gov. DeSantis's success is not correlated with conspiracy theorist-anti-science fantasy. He's accomplished Florida's success with the virus without governmental overreach by taking a practical data-driven path, by making monoclonal antibody treatments and vaccines widely available throughout the state. 

Blue Magazine has been following Gov. DeSantis's support for law enforcement. While many politicians trample on officers' rights, fire them, and continue to malign good cops as the enemy of the people, Gov. DeSantis let the rank and file know this… "NYPD, Minneapolis, Seattle: If you're not being treated well, we'll treat you better here, you can fill important needs for us, and we'll compensate you as a result." And Florida openly welcomes officers who have made the personal choice not to be inoculated against COVID-19.

At the 2021 Biennial National Conference & Expo this past August hosted by the National Fraternal Order of Police, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced three new policy proposals to help recruit new law enforcement officers and support Florida's local and state law enforcement agencies. "As so many cities and states choose to disrespect, degrade and defund the honorable work of law enforcement, we want Florida to continue valuing our men and women of law enforcement today, tomorrow, and for generations to come," DeSantis said. 

These proposals provide state resources to recruit law enforcement officers through three separate programs: new officer signing bonuses, academy scholarship program, and out-of-state relocation support. The new officer signing bonus grants a one-time $5,000 payment to cops who are new to the profession in Florida. The academy scholarship program helps lessen the incurred financial burden of law enforcement training. The recruitment program waives examination fees for officers relocating to Florida.  

Whether it is COVID response, schools, the economy, law and order, or almost any other "progressive" agenda found in many states, Gov. Desantis has bucked the trend with great success and a conservative agenda. Gov. DeSantis's approach has caught the eye of President Donald Trump among others in the Republican Party and thereby places him squarely on the national stage and potentially in consideration to lead our great country as POTUS or vice president.

As tradition has it at Blue Magazine, every year we select a person who has demonstrated a strong support for law enforcement and, through his or her actions, helped make our profession better. Gov. DeSantis has undoubtedly earned the trust and respect of law enforcement through his strong-willed determination and leadership. For this reason and in recognition of his tireless efforts to make Florida an example to follow as its citizenry and business community reap the rewards of safety, health and prosperity, Blue Magazine is honored to name Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as our 2021 Man of the Year. Congratulation Gov. DeSantis!