Florida GOP tries to crack down after Ron DeSantis' state staff helped raise political cash

A Republican proposal in the Florida state House would bar state employees from conducting most traditional campaign-type activities during working hours.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — At least twice over the past year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ top government staffers have helped him directly raise campaign contributions, a practice members of his own political party want to end.

A proposal championed by Republicans in the state House would bar state employees — those who work for the governor or otherwise — from conducting most traditional campaign-type activities during working hours, including soliciting campaign contributions.

The legislation was introduced last week after NBC News first reported last month that two top staffers in the governor's office were calling state lobbyists to raise money for a DeSantis-aligned political committee that would almost certainly help his wife, Casey, run for governor if she jumped in the race, as she has suggested she is considering.

In addition, NBC News reported last year that several top DeSantis administration officials were trying to raise political cash for his failed presidential campaign.

“You cannot solicit funds, you cannot be engaged in the political campaign fundraising process,” Republican state Rep. Debbie Mayfield said at a House committee meeting last week.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/florida-gop-crack-ron-desantis-political-cash-rcna201115

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