CNN
 — 

Laying out his high priorities for a second time period and a possible platform for a presidential run, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered a State of the State speech Tuesday that conspicuously prevented a lot of the divisive rhetoric that has fueled his political ascent however however signaled one other spherical of cultural wars is coming within the weeks forward.

DeSantis asserted that his landslide November victory was a “vindication” of his contentious agenda throughout his first time period and a mandate to “shoot for the celebs” and “swing for the fences” within the coming yr. He inspired lawmakers to “ignore all of the background noise” as they sort out a prolonged listing of priorities which are positive to enrage Democrats however animate future Republican main voters.

“We discover ourselves in Florida on the entrance traces within the battle for freedom,” he stated. “Collectively, we’ve got made Florida the nation’s most desired vacation spot and we’ve got produced historic outcomes. However now’s not the time to relaxation on our laurels.”

The remarks laid the groundwork for what is predicted to be a breathless dash by the GOP-controlled legislature to rack up coverage wins that would type a platform to launch DeSantis’ extremely anticipated bid for the White Home.

DeSantis notably avoided utilizing the phrase “woke” in his remarks – a staple of the political speeches he has delivered in current months – and wasn’t practically as combative towards President Joe Biden. He largely centered on extra agreeable matters like enhancing training, assuaging visitors congestion and championing truck drivers, cops and nurses.

However he additionally chastised the “biomedical safety state” that required Covid-19 vaccines and vowed to completely ban mandates associated to coronavirus mitigation, an outlier place that helped DeSantis emerge as a conservative star in the course of the pandemic.

“We defied the consultants, we bucked the elites, we ignored the chatter,” DeSantis stated. “We did it our method, the Florida method.”

DeSantis has urged or endorsed proposals touching each aspect of the tradition wars: limiting abortion, permitting hid firearms in public with out coaching and common faculty selection. There are payments focusing on drag exhibits, liberal protections and so-called “woke”-banking.

Moments earlier than DeSantis’ remarks started, laws was filed that may ban abortion after six weeks besides in circumstances of rape and incest and make it unlawful to ship abortion drugs by way of the mail. DeSantis in his speech nodded to supporting efforts to “shield life” however prevented specifics. He additionally signaled help for legislative efforts to observe steps taken by his administration to ban therapies for transgender youngsters.

“Our faculties should ship a superb training, not a political indoctrination,” DeSantis stated. “It’s unhappy that we’ve got to say this, however our kids are usually not guinea pigs for science experimentation, and we can’t permit individuals to generate income off mutilating them.”

Lots of the proposals are geared toward school rooms. In a invoice addressing Ok-12 faculties, academics can’t be instructed they need to use a scholar’s most well-liked identify and pronouns and discussing gender id and sexual orientation and gender id could be prohibited matters till highschool. On school campuses, gender research could be banned, as would range and fairness applications, and hiring choices will fall into the arms of board members largely appointed by DeSantis.

DeSantis has stated he’ll formally resolve on whether or not to leap into the 2024 race after the legislature completes its work, a timeline that may imply an announcement in Might or June. However DeSantis is already taking steps to construct out a political group for a possible run and just lately huddled with donors, elected Republicans and conservative influencers in Palm Seaside, the place they plotted technique and coverage in former President Donald Trump neighborhood.

His out-of-state journey has additionally picked up. Whereas lawmakers meet over the subsequent 60 days, DeSantis is predicted to spend the subsequent couple months on the street selling his new ebook, “The Braveness to Be Free.” DeSantis is scheduled to journey to Alabama on Thursday earlier than heading to the early nominating states of Iowa and Nevada this weekend.

DeSantis’ agenda is predicted to face little resistance within the Republican-led legislature, the place lawmakers have repeatedly succumbed to political stress from the favored governor up to now and seem intently aligned heading into the upcoming session.

Certainly, within the hour earlier than DeSantis’ remarks, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo instructed her members she thought-about DeSantis “really America’s governor.”

“The eyes of the nation are on Florida this yr,” she stated. “Let’s present America the way it’s performed.”