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DeSantis sworn in to begin second term as Florida's governor

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is sworn by Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos Muniz to begin his second term during an inauguration ceremony outside the Old Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Tallahassee. Looking on is DeSantis' wife. Casey, second from right, and their son Mason.
Lynne Sladky
/
AP
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is sworn by Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos Muniz to begin his second term during an inauguration ceremony outside the Old Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Tallahassee. Looking on is DeSantis' wife. Casey, second from right, and their son Mason.

Gov. Ron DeSantis was sworn in Tuesday morning on the steps of the Old Capitol to formally start his second term.

As he gave an inauguration speech, DeSantis said “freedom lives here in our great Sunshine State of Florida,” one of his major themes.

A crowd of supporters fanned out in front of the historic building as DeSantis, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and new Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson took their oaths of office.

Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos Muniz administered the oath to DeSantis, who placed his hand on a Bible held by first lady Casey DeSantis.

DeSantis defeated Democrat Charlie Crist in the Nov. 8 election by nearly 20 percentage points, as Republicans swept races for state offices. He is widely viewed as a potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate.

News Service of Florida