JOHNSTON, IOWA: The spotlight is shining on Casey DeSantis, the wife of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, as she made her first solo public appearance on Thursday, July 6, in Johnston, Iowa, during which she addressed voters and expressed her strong stance on parental rights.
The 43-year-old former TV news journalist and breast cancer survivor launched the national version of her grassroots group, 'Mamas for DeSantis', while emphasizing her dedication to defending children from government interference. DeSantis' comments come as part of a broader movement concerned with potential ideological indoctrination and the imposition of COVID-19 measures in public schools.
Parental rights movement
Speaking alongside Republican Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds in a packed barn, Casey DeSantis highlighted her determination to protect parental rights when it comes to their children's education. She stated, "It's one thing when your policies come out after us – the mamas. It's another thing when they come after our children. And that's when the claws come out."
According to the New York Post, Casey DeSantis aims to tap into the "parental rights" movement, which has gained momentum due to concerns about left-wing ideology being taught by "woke" teachers in public schools across the United States. The movement has also been fueled by the backlash against COVID-19 measures, including lockdowns and mandatory masking, implemented in public schools. The Florida first lady firmly believes that parents should have the authority to decide what kind of education is best for their children, urging the government to step aside. She expressed this sentiment to the crowd in Iowa, saying, "It should be up to the parents to decide what education they think is best for their children. And government should, again, get out of the way."
Who are Casey DeSantis' parents?
Casey DeSantis, born Jill Casey Black on June 26, 1980, in Zanesville, Ohio, is the daughter of Robert Black, an optometrist and ex-US Air Force officer, and Jeanne Caponigro, a speech pathologist and the daughter of a Sicilian immigrant. She attended the historic College of Charleston in South Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a minor in French and was a member of the equestrian team.
Following her graduation, Casey DeSantis embarked on a career as a television host. She started on the Golf Channel programs 'On The Tee' and 'PGA Tour Today'. It was during this time that she first crossed paths with Ron DeSantis, who was serving as a Navy officer at the time. The couple eventually married in September 2009 at the Walt Disney World Resort, which Ron DeSantis humorously noted as "kind of ironic" given his contentious relationship with the Walt Disney Corporation as Florida's governor.
While Ron DeSantis entered politics, Casey DeSantis continued her media career, working as a local news anchor for WJXT in Jacksonville, Florida. She held various roles, including morning presenter and crime reporter. Casey also hosted several lifestyle programs, such as 'The Chat' on Jacksonville stations WTLV and WJXX, 'First Coast Living', and 'The American Dream'. Additionally, she produced the award-winning documentary 'The JT Townsend Story', which chronicled the life of a high school football star. Ron and Casey DeSantis are the proud parents of three young children: Madison, aged five; Mason, aged four; and Mamie, aged two. Notably, Mamie is said to be the first baby born in the Florida governor's mansion in over 50 years.
Unwavering support for husband Ron DeSantis
Addressing voters on Thursday, Casey DeSantis emphasized her husband's track record in supporting parental rights in Florida as evidence of his qualifications to address education issues as a presidential candidate. She declared, "A lot of bad things going on... I can tell you with what Governor DeSantis has done, he will lead the charge, he will clean house, and he will ensure that parents have the right to be able to make the decisions that they think are best for their family."
Closing her speech, Casey DeSantis reaffirmed her unwavering support for Ron DeSantis, not only because he is her husband but also because she genuinely believes in his vision and leadership. She asserted, "They're not doing the woke Olympics, by the way, in the state of Florida. There's no discrimination if you use the wrong pronoun. As long as I have breath in my body, I will fight for Ron DeSantis – not just because he's my husband; that is part of it – but it's because I believe in him."
