The problem with being an insurgent populist is, if you win, where do you go next? It’s all well and good to run against the liberal establishment where there is one, but if the red team has complete control of your state’s politics, what do you do?
Start a race to the bottom. Pretend that the band of populists that is in power is actually the liberal establishment. Be as irresponsible as possible and take pride in it. Never let anyone be more outrageous than you are.
Which is why Matt Gaetz, in spite of his many issues, has a good chance of being Florida’s next governor if he decides to run.