The governor called Fine a “squish” and blamed policies he supported for an underperformance in the special election.

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) took a swipe over Republican state Sen. Randy Fine’s victory on Wednesday, accusing the “squish Republican” of overselling his margin of victory against his opponent. Fine’s race in Florida’s 6th District was called Tuesday evening,

Gov. Ron DeSantis says he tried to install Congressman-elect Randy Fine as president of Florida Atlantic University because members of the state Legislature, where Fine served at the time,

Ron DeSantis intensified attacks on Randy Fine Wednesday, blaming Fine's "unique problems" for a narrow special election win in a Republican stronghold district.

DeSantis, the former Congressman from Florida’s 6th Congressional District, derided U.S. Rep.-elect Randy Fine as a “squish” who needed President Donald Trump and millions of dollars of outside help to win because he couldn’t connect with voters.

In 2023, Fine told the Palm Beach Post that the Governor’s Office had encouraged him to apply for the FAU President job. DeSantis told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that Fine would be a “good candidate.” Ultimately, Fine didn’t make the list of finalists.

A former state Senator endorsed by Trump, Fine is a controversial figure. In a November tweet, Fine called himself “The Hebrew Hammer” and suggested Muslim Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN) leave Congress before his arrival. He added, “#BombsAway.”

U.S. Rep. Randy Fine is taking a victory lap and saying Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recurrent, vitriolic criticisms of his just-concluded campaign don’t bother him.

Ron DeSantis has stepped up his criticism of Randy Fine, Florida's newly elected congressman, following his narrow victory in a special election for the 6th district aimed at replacing former Rep. Mike Waltz.

The trend on Election Day is increasingly favoring Republican Randy Fine in Florida’s 6th Congressional District. Yet one former Representative in that district — Gov. Ron DeSantis — is sharpening his attacks, saying President Donald Trump was misadvised to endorse the Melbourne Republican.