TALLAHASSEE, Florida — In a move that sharpens focus on financial ethics among politicians, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has proposed a new state requirement for congressional candidates. This measure, announced during a Clearwater event alongside GOP Representative Anna Paulina Luna, is designed to make candidates declare their stance on stock trading before elections, potentially influencing how voters perceive their suitability for office.

During the announcement, DeSantis expressed strong support for Luna’s federal bill to prohibit individual stock trading by members of Congress, calling the ability of politicians to benefit unduly from market trades a "bipartisan ailment." He emphasized the urgent need for reform, saying, "We need to clean both houses up there," while highlighting how some members achieve suspiciously high returns from their investments.

The Florida governor also took to social media to criticize the financial acumen of certain Congress members, including Nancy Pelosi, suggesting that their investment success is highly questionable and akin to "Warren Buffet on steroids."

Acknowledging that state authority over federal representatives is limited, DeSantis proposed that congressional candidates in Florida should disclose their intentions regarding stock trading as part of the qualification forms when they file to run for office. He argued that this requirement would enhance voter awareness and accountability, although he noted that implementing such a measure for state legislators would not be feasible due to their part-time status and frequent professional ties to the financial sector.

The push for transparency comes at a politically charged time, as Rep. Byron Donalds, a potential front-runner in the 2026 gubernatorial race, faces scrutiny over his stock trading practices. Despite ethics complaints regarding delayed disclosures, Donalds has voiced support for Luna’s legislation, albeit with a provision for broker-managed trades.

As the debate over stock trading continues, both DeSantis and Luna are urging Florida’s congressional delegation to back the proposed trading ban. With several members already supporting a discharge petition, Luna remains optimistic about the bill’s progress, expecting it to be addressed in Congress within the next three months.

As the 2026 elections draw nearer, DeSantis’s stance not only reinforces his critique of Congress but also aligns with his broader advocacy for term limits, shaping a narrative of necessary reform that resonates with many voters concerned about integrity and transparency in politics.