Greenwich Pride Opposes Visit By Gov. Ron DeSantis

GREENWICH, CT — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to come to Greenwich Wednesday for a private fundraiser, but the LGBTQ group Greenwich Pride is opposing the presidential hopeful's visit.

"Greenwich is a diverse town with deep roots in American history. We aim to represent the best of this country and believe in fairness and equality. DeSantis’ policies are bad for Florida, bad for the nation, and his presence is bad for the town Greenwich aspires to be," Greenwich Pride said in an emailed statement to Patch.

"We firmly reject those who gain financially or politically from dividing people against each other. Employing such tactics indicate that you’ve already failed the most important test of all, that of being a decent human being."

A United States Navy veteran, DeSantis served as a prosecutor in Florida and as a U.S. Congressman from 2013 to 2018 in Florida's 6th Congressional District.

DeSantis was elected as the governor of Florida in 2018. Since then, his administration has received national attention, notably in 2022 when his controversial Parental Rights in Education bill, called the "Don't Say Gay" bill by critics, was signed into law.

In their statement, Greenwich Pride also made reference to recent curriculum legislation signed by DeSantis, a new Florida immigration law and a push to make book bans easier.

"Election Day is approaching. We urge our friends and neighbors to distance themselves from this extremism and vote for the party that fights for – not against – all Greenwich residents," Greenwich Pride added.

Greenwich Democrats also railed against the DeSantis visit in their recent newsletter.

A "peaceful protest" is scheduled to take place Wednesday ahead of DeSantis's visit, according to an Instagram story shared by Greenwich Pride which has since been deleted.

However, Greenwich Pride told Patch the protest is not affiliated with them, and is being organized "by other, concerned community members."

DeSantis has failed to gain traction so far in the Republican field. Former President Donald J. Trump is the favorite to be the party's nominee against President Joseph R. Biden in 2024.

According to the first of a five-part monthly poll from Iowa State University before the upcoming Iowa Caucuses in January, 51 percent of the likely Republican caucus-goers who were polled picked Trump as their top choice.

DeSantis was second at 14 percent, followed by former U.N. Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley at 10 percent, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy at 9 percent, the poll showed.

Greenwich Republicans hosted Ramaswamy in June for a roundtable discussion and keynote address.

The Greenwich Time reported that tickets to attend the DeSantis fundraiser start at $3,300 per person, with VIP tickets at $6,600 for individuals and $13,200 for couples. VIP tickets include access to a photo reception with DeSantis before the event, the Time said.

The Frantzes previously hosted events for presidential candidates George W. Bush and Mitt Romney.

Past attempts to reach the DeSantis campaign have been unsuccessful.

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