Elections
DeSantis blasts Nixon and Mills, calls Caruso arrest a “gut punch”
PN Team • 2 months ago
Gov. Ron DeSantis, speaking Wednesday in Orlando, weighed in on Florida's primary results and a scandal involving one of his own appointees. He dismissed Angie Nixon's chances against Sen. Ashley Moody in November, calling the progressive state lawmaker's Senate bid unlikely to succeed statewide, and touted Florida's growing GOP voter registration advantage. He also backed Ryan Elijah, who defeated embattled Rep. Cory Mills in the GOP primary, saying Mills' nomination would have put the seat at risk in the general election.
DeSantis called the arrest of Michael Caruso, whom he appointed Palm Beach County clerk of courts, a "gut punch." Caruso, 67, a former state representative once praised by DeSantis, faces five felony charges including kidnapping, molestation, luring and enticing a child, lewd and lascivious exhibition, and child abuse. Authorities say the victim, Caruso's grandson under age 12, described abuse on three occasions, including during a Thanksgiving 2024 incident and aboard a cruise ship in August 2025. Caruso denied the allegations when confronted and is being held without bond in Orange County. DeSantis suspended Caruso and installed an interim clerk; Attorney General James Uthmeier said Caruso would "face the full force of the law," and reports indicate a daughter had previously made similar allegations.
Sentiment
- Republican Party (United States) DeSantis touts the GOP's growing voter registration advantage, a favorable mention for the party.
- Ashley Moody Moody is portrayed as the likely favorite in her Senate race, a mildly favorable mention.
- Democratic Party (United States) Angie Nixon, a Democratic lawmaker, is dismissed by DeSantis as unlikely to win statewide, a mild negative framing tied to the party.
- United States House of Representatives The House seat context involves Cory Mills' primary loss amid scandal, a tangential negative association.
- Orange County, California Orange County is mentioned only as where Caruso is held without bond, a neutral factual detail.
- Ron DeSantis DeSantis is shown taking decisive action and commenting on political matters, a largely neutral to slightly favorable portrayal despite the scandal involving his appointee.
- Florida Florida is the general setting for the political and legal events described, a neutral geographic reference.
- Orlando, Florida Orlando is simply the location where DeSantis made his remarks, a neutral reference.
- United States Senate The Senate is mentioned only as the context for Moody's race, a neutral factual reference.