Walt Disney Co sued Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, asking a court to overturn state efforts to exert control over the company’s Walt Disney World theme parks in Orlando, intensifying a political battle between one of the largest U.S. companies and a potential White House contender.
The lawsuit marks the company’s response to escalating efforts by DeSantis and his supporters to bring to heel Disney, which draws millions of visitors every year to its massive amusement parks, the first of which opened in 1971.
“The company is left with no choice but to file this lawsuit to protect its cast
