DeSantis’ July 4th: Soaking Wet and Sagging in the Polls

MERRIMACK, N.H. – In the face of dropping poll numbers in New Hampshire, the DeSantis family spent the July 4 holiday getting soaked while shaking hands with voters in two parades through towns known as traditionally Republican strongholds. 

The Florida governor’s trip, his third to the first-in-the-nation primary state as an official candidate, comes days after his campaign tweeted a video that was criticized as both homophobic and “very gay” – something that some New Hampshire parade goers also took issue with.

“We're a purple state,” said Republican State Rep. Bill Boyd. “We celebrate and cherish people from all walks of life from all diversities.”

Boyd represents Merrimack, a solidly Republican town which hosts one of the largest parades in the state, drawing several presidential hopefuls including Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota. As he marched behind an antique truck at the start of the parade, Boyd said he has been asked for an endorsement by campaigns for DeSantis, former President Donald Trump, and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. He said “the verdict is still out” on DeSantis’ candidacy. 

“I find a lot of what he's done here in New Hampshire to be extremely scripted,” he said, adding: “He needs to be authentic, he needs to start answering questions, and he's gonna have to answer some tough questions.”

Since announcing his candidacy in May, DeSantis’ poll numbers in New Hampshire have dropped by almost 10 points. In the most recent poll of New Hampshire voters conducted by Saint Anslem College, 19% of voters said they would support him. Meanwhile, Trump has gained 5 points in the same time frame, now sitting close to a majority with 47%.

For his part, DeSantis marched in the parade wearing black work boots, blue jeans, and a short-sleeved rain slicker with his name emblazoned on it. As he walked, flanked by security and media, DeSantis shook hands with voters and took selfies while ignoring the warm summer rain. A team of several dozen volunteers walked alongside, carrying campaign banners and handing out candy.

One of DeSantis’ most prominent New Hampshire supporters, Republican House Majority Leader Jason Osborne, joined the march, getting drenched in a pink button-down shirt and slacks. He said the video was meant to serve as a parody about how both the political left and “Trump people” are treating DeSantis. 

“I think if you take it for what it is, it's kind of funny,” he said. “And it kind of proves the point, and also got people talking, ‘Oh, what is the difference between Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump?’”

Earlier in the day in Wolfeboro, Yeison Mirando, of Mirror Lake, NH, who described himself as a “gay, immigrant, Latino, who is Republican,” said he saw the video and doesn’t believe it was anti-LGBTQ.

“I disagree with the fact that a lot of children are being exposed to different things that … they shouldn't be at this age,” he said. But he “absolutely” plans to vote in the primary for Trump, not DeSantis. “I don't think he's ready to be president,” he said of DeSantis.

In the earlier parade, DeSantis and his wife Casey shook hands along the route as his supporters hoisted campaign signs and chanted “De-San-Tis.” Some supporters wanted to talk with him about their Florida connections. 

“Hey governor, thank you for saving Sanibel. I have a house in Sanibel,” said Chris Choma, who votes in Massachusetts. “Oh do ya?” DeSantis said, shaking his hand.

Not every encounter was friendly. A small group holding signs that included “Trans Rights are Human Rights,” and “I read banned books,” booed as DeSantis shook hands with people on the opposite side of the street and his supporters shouted over the group with chants of USA.

“Stay out of New Hampshire,” yelled one man, holding a sign that said, “The Library is Open.”

Members of the media followed DeSantis along the route, but he was not taking questions. “Governor, Would you veto a national abortion ban?” The Messenger asked. DeSantis turned his head and an organizer said, “We’re not doing any questions right now.”

Anne Galeucia, a nurse from Bedford, NH, watched from the side of the road as DeSantis approached. She likes DeSantis but she’s not sold on him and doesn’t like his views on culture war issues.

“I think it’s the most divisive thing that can possibly be going on in the country,” said Galeucia, a Republican. “Everything’s divided and we’re talking about issues that don’t matter, that shouldn’t matter. We should be caring more about crime and environment, things like that. Not what people decide to do.”

Cyndy White, of Durham, NH, said she would hold DeSantis’ positions on LGBTQ issues against him, “because I don’t agree with it.”

“We’re a live free or die state,” she said. “If I want to be gay, lesbian, transgender, I want to live free and die. That is my choice, not yours, to decide for me. With our state, I think it would be a huge issue.”