Ron DeSantis is a political anomaly. At a time of extreme political polarization, the Florida Republican governor has appealed to constituencies far out of reach for most politicians in his party. With sky-high approval ratings, DeSantis could choose to be quiet during an election year and try to coast his way to reelection in 2022. Instead, he’s attempting to pass E-Verify, which is popular among voters but toxic to big business, the political class, and entrenched special interests. His political agenda may win him few fans in the state capital but could launch him as Trump’s successor.

In his first year in office, DeSantis championed policies that appealed across the political spectrum. He fought to: get a statewide ban on sanctuary cities, allow teachers to bring firearms into their classrooms, expand school choice with vouchers for private and religious schools, and remove Common Core education standards. DeSantis also signed a bill to allow Floridians to purchase cheaper imported prescription drugs, and released a series of environmental priorities, including increased fines for polluters and the creation of the state’s first climate change czar. He’s cleared house, removing hundreds of political appointees, including disgraced Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel and Broward County Election Supervisor Brenda Snipes.