LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Ahead of a highly anticipated presidential announcement, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Michigan for his first appearance this year in the battleground state transformed by Democratic majorities under high-profile Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The visit put the contrasting leadership styles of the Republican and Democrat on display after they scored landslide 2022 reelection victories that vaulted them to be their parties' brightest emerging stars.
In Florida, DeSantis and the GOP-dominated Legislature have moved the state further right, waging a culture war on what the governor has called "woke" agendas. In Michigan, Whitmer has led the way on codifying abortion rights and advancing sweeping gun reform with Democrats in full control for the first time in decades.
Whitmer has been a top ally to President Joe Biden and a kind of proxy for his leadership in their party — and what's possible under Democrats. DeSantis is one of the top potential candidates looking to unseat Biden next year.
Thursday's visit was also one of DeSantis's first out-of-state appearances since former President Donald Trump was indicted. With all eyes on Trump, others vying for the GOP nomination have found it difficult to gain much notice.
Trump frequently targets DeSantis — a similarity the governor shares with Whitmer, who Trump...
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