2024 intrigue: DeSantis declines to ask Trump for reelection endorsement
DeSantis’ reluctance to seek the former president’s public support comes as the Florida governor prepares for a likely 2024 White House bid.
By GARY FINEOUT 06/22/2022 04:31 AM EDT
FTA
Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has plenty of advantages ahead of his November reelection. More than $100 million in the bank. A growing statewide Republican voter advantage. Massive popularity with the conservative base.
What DeSantis doesn’t need and isn’t requesting: former President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
According to four people connected to the governor and former president, DeSantis has not asked Trump for a formal endorsement and isn’t planning to. It’s a clear sign that DeSantis, who more than four years ago was a little-known congressman from northeast Florida, has risen high in the GOP stratosphere.
DeSantis’ reluctance to seek the former president’s public support comes as the Florida governor prepares for a likely 2024 White House bid, even if Trump also runs in 2024 — setting up a potential clash between two powerful figures in the GOP.
“[DeSantis is] a Cat 5 hurricane in Florida politics — and in a good way if you are a Republican,” said Anthony Pedicini, a veteran GOP consultant in Florida. “He is a force of nature.”
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https://www.politico.com/news/2022/06/22/desantis-trump-support-governors-mansion-00040942
I think the Governor is fully aware that he can now stand and run on his own record. When he’s got his own boat parades because he’s been such a good Governor, he’s probably feeling fairly confident.
I can’t see DeSantis challenging President Trump, and would be really disappointed. Having said that, DeSantis is wise to get himself positioned in the event that President Trump doesn’t run. Nobody knows what the future holds - especially when dems want him gone. Health, family, various issues could come into play.
I don’t think DeSantis will run in 2024 if Trump does. But maybe DeSantis is running for governor on his own and doesn’t need or want a Trump endorsement.