TAMPA, FLORIDA — A new book chronicling the meteoric ascent of Governor Ron DeSantis from the perspective of former Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran was announced on Thursday with an expected publication in the spring of 2023.
Standing Our Ground: The Inside Story of Ron DeSantis’ Rise and Battle for Freedom will be published by Post Hill Press’s Bombardier Books, according to a report by an industry publication on Thursday.
Richard Corcoran served as education commissioner from December 2018 to May 2022 and speaker of the House from 2016 to 2018.
“It was an honor to stand alongside @GovRonDeSantis during the historic fight through Covid. His leadership and fight for freedom needs to be known - it was second to none! Thanks to @jbronitsky & @TeamATHOS for making it possible,” Corcoran tweeted.
One user on Twitter responded: “I cannot wait to read this. Thank you so much Mr. Corcoran. You were an amazing advocate for us during an impossible time.”
INSIDER PERSPECTIVE
Standing Our Ground offers a behind-the-scenes look at DeSantis’ memorable stands that garnered public interest from across the country. Corcoran shares his insider’s perspective on the governor’s battle to reopen schools, prohibiting mask mandates, supporting parents pushing back against authoritarian school boards and Disney’s attempt to undermine the Parental Rights Bill. The book also highlights Corcoran’s work with the governor to improve civics education, eliminate Common Core Standards, reduce state testing and pass the largest teacher pay increase in Florida history.
During his tenure as education commissioner, Corcoran oversaw the state’s largest expansion of educational choice opportunities. In 2020, after schools closed across the country in response to the coronavirus, Florida was the first state in the nation to reopen them and guarantee families an in-person instructional option five days a week. In May, DeSantis appointed Corcoran to the Board of Governors of the State University System of Florida.
“Richard has been a champion for students and families, and a great leader of the Department of Education,” DeSantis said in a press release announcing Corcoran’s decision to step down as education commissioner in March. “He is driven by his principles and has never shied away from making the difficult decisions needed to improve the quality of education in Florida. During his tenure, both in the House and at the Department, our state has become an education juggernaut and national leader for innovation.”
