DeSantis celebrates that Florida leads the national ranking in religious freedom: “We will continue to be a model for other states.”

The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, announced this Monday that the state has achieved first place in the national religious freedom index from the First Liberty Institute.

The Republican politician shared the achievement from the campus of New College in Sarasota and framed it within a legislative agenda that, he asserted, has staunchly defended parental rights, school choice, and objections to vaccine mandates.

“Religious freedom is a central principle of the American experiment,” DeSantis wrote on his Facebook account.

"Florida has been recognized for its unwavering commitment to this fundamental right, and we will continue to be a model for other states," he added.

The "Religious Liberty in the States Index," created by the conservative group First Liberty Institute, evaluates state policies that, in the opinion of its authors, protect the public and private exercise of religion.

Florida tops the list ahead of states like Texas, Alabama, and South Carolina, all of which are governed by Republicans.

DeSantis, who has made the "cultural battle" one of the pillars of his administration, took the opportunity to reaffirm that his government has passed "historic" laws that ensure, among other points, that families can educate their children according to their beliefs, or reject mandatory vaccines in school and work contexts.

Although the index from the First Liberty Institute is not official and is not free from ideological bias, the governor presented it as a demonstration of Florida's leadership in defending conservative values.

"Florida will continue to be a role model for other states," he promised.

According to ClickOrlando, during the same conference at New College Florida in Sarasota, DeSantis also took the opportunity to highlight other achievements of the state, such as national leadership in higher education, the economy, educational freedom, entrepreneurship, retirement, and tourism.

He mentioned that, in addition to being ranked first in religious freedom, Florida was recognized by U.S. News & World Report and CNBC as the state with the best economy in the country.

For its part, News4JAX reported that the index created by First Liberty Institute evaluates aspects such as religious exemptions in public laws, protections for religious organizations and schools, and the right of citizens to live out their faith both in private and public spheres.

"If one examines the origins of our country, religious freedom was essentially the first freedom that the Founding Fathers sought to protect," the governor stated. "It is a central part of the American experiment and of our way of life."

DeSantis has maintained an active agenda in recent weeks, promoting initiatives that range from the economy to security and the state's correctional system.

One of its most notable measures was the elimination of the state tax on commercial rent, aimed at stimulating entrepreneurship and establishing Florida as a competitive state for business.

In the educational and environmental fields, DeSantis presented an agenda focused on prioritizing investment in security, public education, and environmental protection, reaffirming his commitment to conservative values and sustainable development policies promoted by his administration.

In parallel, the governor proposed the creation of a second detention center for undocumented immigrants in northern Florida, in line with his stricter immigration policy. This proposal has generated mixed reactions, especially among civil rights advocacy organizations.

Nevertheless, DeSantis has also faced institutional setbacks. The Florida Supreme Court blocked one of his laws aimed at undocumented individuals, considering that it violated constitutional rights. This decision marked a significant halt to his legislative offensive on immigration matters.

Frequently Asked Questions about Religious Freedom and Leadership in Florida under Ron DeSantis