DeSantis Deserves Another Look

A letter (Aug. 2) argues that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has dragged himself down with unpopular policies since his exemplary handling of Covid. Signing a six-week abortion ban could hurt him nationally, but the governor has said that the issue should be left to the states.

The other positions Mr. DeSantis has taken should help, not harm, his chances. To rephrase the issues listed by the writer: Making Disney abide by the same rules as every other business; stopping the indoctrination of young schoolchildren in sexual and gender ideology; banning sex-transition surgery on minors; and making clear that Florida isn’t a sanctuary state are all popular and mainstream.

John DiChiara

DeLand, Fla.

Regarding your editorial “The Real DeSantis Covid Record” (July 26): In several research articles, I show that California’s broad-based use of mandates led to a sharper loss in jobs and economic activity than did Florida’s more targeted approach.

The most significant long-term cost of California’s indiscriminate lockdowns may be from its public-school closures. California ranked last of all 50 states in cumulative in-person education; Florida ranked third-highest. California’s long-term losses will be worst for those from low-income families, a tragedy that had no discernible benefit in lives saved.

Some would respond that California had a lower Covid death rate than Florida. Not so fast. Fifteen percent of Californians but 21% of Floridians are over 65. California’s age-adjusted death rate was roughly the same as Florida’s. Targeted regulations were more effective than ham-handed, broad-based policies.

Em. Prof. Jim Doti

Chapman University

Orange, Calif.

I’d like nothing more than to see Donald Trump be president again. That’s why I’ll vote for Mr. DeSantis. Better to have Trump 2.0 than no Trump at all.

Dale Fruman

Export, Pa.