Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at Everglades restoration project

PALM BEACH, Fla. - Gov. Ron DeSantis took no questions Thursday during his first public appearance after he abandoned his race for president.

READ: I-75 reopens in Pasco County following 'suspicious' incident: FHP

He spoke for seven minutes at the ribbon cutting for an Everglades restoration project in South Florida.

"This is the largest and most significant restoration effort in all the United States of America," he said.

The environment is an issue which, early in his term, he found common ground with Florida's more liberal groups. 

After years of playing up social issues, partly in an effort to court Republican primary voters, in his first public event since dropping out of the presidential race, he returned gently to Florida's political scene.

"Many were wondering if you could actually do it. Could you save the Everglades? Could you actually restore the Everglades? But we decided we would do something about it."

He returns from Iowa in the middle of the legislative session, where they're considering a slate of proposals on health care, social media and guns, of which he has largely steered clear of discussing publicly. 

Democrats argue Floridians have tired of his hot button issues, especially after a special election in a swing district in Central Florida went their way.

"We're also getting across the aisle crossover from independents and moderate Republicans who are no longer buying on what the Republicans are selling," Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said during a press conference last week.

READ: DeSantis funds $10M to combat harmful algae blooms like red tide

The GOP points out that they now have a 780,000 registration advantage over the Democratic Party, so they argue their advantages in Florida are now baked in.Continuing GOP success in Florida could well be his key to making a case for running again for president in 2028. 

Can the GOP hold its legislative supermajorities? Will Florida again go Republican in the presidential race? Will he handpick a successor to run in 2026, and will they win? 

The Everglades restoration ribbon cutting highlights a project that will reduce harmful discharges.

Water flowing from Lake Okeechobee will be stored and cleaned before it heads south to the Everglades.

They opened one cell in the 6,500 acre project Thursday, and promise to open two more.