DeSantis, widely seen as a contender for the 2024 Republican nomination for president, recounted his administration's legislative accomplishments, including enacting the Parental Rights in Education Act , which barred classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity through third grade, and was denounced by liberal opponents as a "don't say gay" bill.
"What we've done, maybe better than any other state in the country, is we have drawn a very clear line in the sand that says our school system is for educating kids, not indoctrinating kids," DeSantis told the cheering crowd. "We've also drawn a clear line in the sand that says parents have a fundamental role in the education of their kids."
While a handful of counterprotesters stood outside the Marriott in downtown Tampa with signs reading, "Teach real history," in reference to parent opposition to critical race theory, the crowd inside was teeming with excitement as the Florida governor hit back against woke corporate culture.
