DeSantis Struggles to Secure Endorsement as Trump Gains Support
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has started his tour of several cities in South Carolina, where he plans to present his Florida Blueprint. Many speculate that he will be running for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. Despite this, he is still struggling to gain the support of his main rival, former President Donald Trump. Trump has been gaining endorsements from legislators in Washington, including some from the Florida Republican delegation.
Recently, Representatives Brian Mast of Florida and Lance Gooden of Texas declared their support for Trump, bringing the number of Florida Republican congressmen endorsing Trump to seven out of 20. DeSantis has only received one endorsement from Rep. Laurel Lee, who formerly worked as Florida’s Secretary of State under DeSantis.
After Meeting With DeSantis, Lance Gooden Immediately Endorses Trump
Brian Mast, a Florida representative, and Lance Gooden, a Texas representative, have both declared their endorsement of Donald Trump for the primary election. Despite Gooden’s prior statement about having a favorable meeting with Governor DeSantis in person on Tuesday, the two lawmakers have chosen to back Trump. With these endorsements, Trump has now gained the support of seven out of the 20 Republican congressmen from Florida, the state where he currently resides, instead of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
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
DeSantis Continues to Pursue Potential Presidential Run Despite Losing Endorsements
Despite losing endorsements to Trump, Governor DeSantis appears to be actively pursuing a presidential campaign with relentless zeal. He recently visited the Capitol in Washington, D.C., where he once served as a Florida U.S. congressman, to meet with lawmakers. On Friday, he is scheduled to give a speech at the Heritage Foundation Leadership Summit in the nation’s capital.
South Carolina has two potential presidential candidates for the Republican nomination in 2024 – former Governor Nikki Haley and Senator Tim Scott. While Scott has not officially announced his candidacy, he has revealed that he established a presidential exploratory committee earlier this month.
