Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, who has not yet formally declared his candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, continues to lose support to former President Donald Trump, his primary opponent.
Wednesday, DeSantis made his first trip to South Carolina, an early primary state, as he continues to seek Trump’s endorsement, as reported by the Daily Mail on Tuesday.
It is widely anticipated that the governor of Florida will enter the Republican presidential contest. During his trip to South Carolina, he will speak in North Charleston, Summerville, and Spartanburg about his Florida Blueprint.
It is customary for prominent politicians who are contemplating a presidential run to visit early primary states such as Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.
Tuesday, prior to his journey to South Carolina, DeSantis met with lawmakers at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., where he previously served as a Florida congressman. In the nation’s capital on Friday, he will deliver a speech at the Heritage Foundation Leadership Summit.
In the meantime, Trump has been accumulating endorsements from Washington legislators, including members of the Florida Republican delegation, as he prepares for a potential 2024 White House bid.
As he concluded his Tuesday meetings, two additional Republican lawmakers announced their support for Trump rather than the popular Florida governor.
Lance Gooden Endorses Trump After Meeting With DeSantis https://t.co/KnL00dDJP5
— Jason Miller (@JasonMillerinDC) April 19, 2023
🚨Just in: Lance Gooden has officially endorsed Donald Trump for President in 2024. Lance has become the 14th Texas Representative to officially endorse Trump. @Lancegooden pic.twitter.com/VrTR8emokd
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) April 18, 2023
Representatives Brian Mast of Florida and Lance Gooden of Texas announced their support for Donald Trump in the primary election, despite Gooden’s prior affirmation that he had a productive meeting with Governor DeSantis on Tuesday.
With the endorsements of Mast and Gooden, seven of the twenty Republican congressmen from Florida who reside in the state now support Trump over DeSantis.
Rep. Greg Steube, a Florida Republican who also backed Trump over DeSantis, recently made headlines after sliding off a ladder. Steube, who also backed Trump over DeSantis, had previously endorsed Trump. During his tenure in the House, Steube claimed that the governor never reached out or responded to him.
The congressman told Politico that he attempted to contact Governor DeSantis multiple times without success. He also alleged he was barred from standing alongside the governor during a Hurricane Ian relief event.
Rep. Laurel Lee, who previously served as Florida’s secretary of state under DeSantis, has publicly endorsed DeSantis.
The Daily Mail noted that Texas Representative Chip Roy and Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie have also endorsed DeSantis.
Trump has received 45 House endorsements and nine Senate endorsements thus far.
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The news source reported that despite losing endorsements to Trump, DeSantis appears to be actively pursuing a presidential bid with unwavering enthusiasm. CONTINUE READING…
