Trump or DeSantis? Candidates asked at Florida GOP conference

Florida congressional candidates running in GOP primaries tried Saturday to prove their conservative credentials to the state’s powerful, high-profile governor and an assemblage of conservative politicians, donors and others.

Candidates hoping to represent Florida in the U.S. House promised their allegiance to term limits, to states’ rights, to choice in education. They voiced their displeasure with Dr. Anthony Fauci, praised U.S. Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Amy Coney Barrett and vowed support of Israel. They stressed the need for a secure border and fiscal conservatism — for some candidates, as Gov. Ron DeSantis looked on and asked them questions.

Saturday’s Republican Party of Florida Sunshine Summit conference at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino and Hotel included debates for candidates in four congressional races, including two contested seats in Tampa Bay that lean red: Pinellas County’s 13th Congressional District seat and the 15th District seat that represents northeast Hillsborough, southeast Pasco and parts of Polk County.

The debates were not streamed live and most media outlets were barred from attending. (The Tampa Bay Times requested, and was granted, credentials to attend. A Miami Herald reporter was not allowed access to the event.)

Before the debates began, DeSantis said he didn’t want “legacy media” involved asking “gotcha questions” that only helped Democrats. He said this year Florida Republicans had the chance to pick up four congressional seats, from 16 to 20 — aided by the maps his office drafted.

The theme of the debates was clear — figuring out how much the candidates followed DeSantis’ and former President Donald Trump’s visions for the Republican Party.

READ NEXT: Trump, DeSantis headline two Republican conferences Saturday on opposing Florida coasts

DeSantis asks questions

DeSantis and Marc Levin, a conservative commentator from Fox News, hosted the debate for the 15th District.

There is no incumbent in Florida’s 15th Congressional District. All five Republican candidates participated, which required either $100,000 raised or 5% support in a poll to qualify.

Former Secretary of State Laurel Lee, state Sen. Kelli Stargel, state Rep. Jackie Toledo, former U.S. Navy Captain Kevin John McGovern and former U.S. Navy Commissioner Demetries Grimes spent about an hour largely agreeing on the questions they were asked while trying to emphasize their personal and professional backgrounds.

Levin pressed candidates on their party credentials, asking…