On Monday, Governor-elect Ron DeSantis spoke at the end of a roundtable discussion among Republicans about his priorities going into office and issues that Florida is facing.
A broad spectrum of issues was discussed Monday at the Thought Leaders Luncheon in Tallahassee.
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry moderated the event alongside other public leaders, including lieutenant governor-elect Jeannette Nuñez.
Rounds of applause roared for DeSantis and other leaders who discussed issues ranging from healthcare to the environment.
DeSantis said he looks forward to tackling all of these issues, but he laid out some of his priorities once he’s sworn in as Florida's 46th governor on Tuesday.
“My first State Supreme Court appointment is Wednesday," he said. "Then we’ll focus on storm recovery. Those people in Northwest Florida are doing a great job but they need help.”
Despite Republicans controlling all branches of state government, DeSantis does not expect any possible changes to be easily made.
“I think we need to have fights on some things but be able to go onto another issue and maybe find agreement," DeSantis said. "For the folks that didn’t vote for me, I’m representing them as governor too."
One of his staunchest supporters, Curry, had a seat at the table.
Curry called DeSantis "my brother from another mother" after DeSantis declared victory in the gubernatorial race in November.
Curry tells First Coast News his goal under DeSantis’ administration is to continue his focus on public safety; protecting Jacksonville’s people.
“If you look at this past year we’ve had a slight drop in the homicide murder rate," he said. "We’ve got a lot of work to do and I’m going to continue my focus on public safety, and continue to ask this governor and state of Florida to help us."