Two years before becoming a hero of the anti-vaccine, anti-mask, anti-medical-record legions of Donald Trump supporters, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis without fanfare signed into law a requirement that doctors and nurses log all childrens vaccinations into a statewide database.

Prior to DeSantis approval of the 2019 bill, doctors, nurses and other health care providers could voluntarily enter their patients immunization records into the vaccine registry. DeSantis made that mandatory.

At the time, before the COVID-19 pandemic, the bill was not considered particularly controversial and sailed through the legislature with a 111-2 vote in the state House and 38-0 in the Senate. DeSantis signed it into law along with 10 other bills on June 18 of that year, according to a governors office press release , and it took effect on Jan. 1 this year despite opposition from anti-vaccine groups that staged a rally at the state Capitol during the 2019 legislative session.

Speakers at that event complained about the states tracking of private medical information language that mirrors the DeSantis administrations current opposition to the so-called medical tyranny of vaccine mandates and passports.

Charlie Crist, who once served as the states Republican governor and is now a Democratic congressman running for governor again, as a Democrat, said the reason for DeSantis new stance against vaccines and medical science is simple: 2024.

The pursuit of the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. I think he found a reservoir of support among the 30 or 40% of Republicans who oppose vaccines, Crist said. Its off to Iowa.