Florida’s most prominent political couple appear poised to become Polk County residents.
Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state’s first lady, Casey DeSantis, are buying a house in the exclusive private community of Mountain Lake, adjacent to Lake Wales. A local real estate agent posted a copy of a letter to Mountain Lake members dated June 27 on social media, and it circulated quickly.
DeSantis was asked about the reported purchase during a news conference the morning of June 29 in Tampa.
“I haven’t confirmed or denied anything,” DeSantis said. “People put out stuff, and that’s fine, but I’m certainly not going to be commenting with you guys on that.”
A reporter called Mountain Lake the morning of June 29 to confirm the details in the letter. A man who answered the line immediately hung up.
All membership matters at Mountain Lake are confidential, according to the letter shared on social media.
The letter says that the Mountain Lake Membership Committee has received a proposal of membership for Ron and Casey DeSantis. The letter identifies former state Sen. J.D. Alexander as the proposer, with Mark and Patti Bostick listed a seconders.
Bostick, former president of Comcar Industries, served on the Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees starting in 2012 and was reappointed by DeSantis in 2021. The proposed membership received letters of support from eight couples, including Wogie and Michelle Badcock, the letter says.
Badcock is the former chairman of W.S. Badcock Corp.
DeSantis, barred by state law from seeking a third term as governor, will leave office on Jan. 5.
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DeSantis, a Republican and former congressman, made an unsuccessful run for president in 2024. Many political observers expect him to try again in 2028.
There had been considerable speculation that Casey DeSantis would run to succeed her husband as Florida’s governor, but she opted not to launch a campaign. The couple have three children, ages 6, 8 and 9.
Mountain Lake has long been a secluded reserve for the wealthy and powerful. Its founder, Robert Ruth, first purchased nearly 1,400 acres beside Iron Mountain in 1883, according to an official history on the Mountain Lake website.
Ruth hired Frederick Law Olmstead Jr. to design the grounds and recruited “captains of industry” to be the first investors, the history says. Mountain Lake appeared on maps in 1915.
One of the early residents was Edward Bok, who purchased adjacent land that became what is now Bok Tower Gardens. The attraction, also designed by Olmstead Jr., opened in 1929.
The property that Ron and Casey DeSantis intend to purchase has an estimated value of $1.7 million to $2.4 million, according to Homes.com. A listing describes the 5,024-square-foot home as having six bedrooms and six bathrooms.
Other houses now available in Mountain Lake have listed values of up to $3.5 million.
Sam Romain, chair of the Polk County Republican Executive Committee, expressed pleasure at the prospect of the DeSantises moving to Polk County.
“We love DeSantis and we welcome him to Polk County and the Mountain Lake community with open arms,” Romain said in a text message. “Polk is a great place to live and raise a family — and when life eventually settles down for him, we’d be happy to have him join the Polk REC too.”
John Hill, chair of the Polk County Democratic Executive Committee, also responded to a request from The Ledger.
“Lake Wales is known as the Crown Jewel of the Ridge, so it’s not surprising that anyone would want to move here,” Hill said by text message. “I myself am a resident of this wonderful city. Our 16,000 residents are a diverse, equitable and inclusive community and we welcome all to partake in that Lake Wales life. I would love to buy the Governor and Mrs. DeSantis their first cup of coffee at Lake Wales Latte Lounge and show them just how open and accepting we are in Lake Wales.”
DeSantis visited Lake Wales in April, when he unveiled a sculpture of President Calvin Coolidge at Bok Tower Gardens as part of the Florida America 250 celebration. Coolidge spoke at the dedication of Bok Tower in 1929.
Earlier in June, DeSantis signed a bill allowing alcoholic beverages to be carried outdoors within a special Arts, Entertainment and Culture district in downtown Lake Wales.
Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on X @garywhite13.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Is DeSantis moving to Polk County? Governor won’t confirm or deny
Reporting by Gary White, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
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By Gary White, Lakeland Ledger | USA TODAY Network
