DeSantis' rising star on display as CPAC kicks off in Florida

For the first time since 2017, the hottest name at the Conservative Political Action Conference might be someone other than Donald Trump.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, scheduled to help open CPAC here on Thursday afternoon, has quickly become a favorite of the Republican base, brandishing a national image as a hard-charging fighter against coronavirus precautions and a big-state executive who doesn’t shy away from cultural clashes.

“America’s Governor,” he was dubbed by Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union, in a tweet announcing DeSantis’ addition to the CPAC lineup. Already, there is chatter that DeSantis could be destined to run for president, perhaps as soon