20-04-2023
Eight lawmakers of Florida have endorsed Donald Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination, including Vern Buchanan who announced his endorsement on Wednesday after a personal call from Trump.
Trump's endorsements come as he leads the field of declared and as-yet undeclared candidates, while DeSantis is expected to launch a run and is in second position in polls.
DeSantis' team had asked members of Florida's congressional delegation to hold off announcing any endorsements, but several lawmakers were personally contacted by Trump and invited to a dinner at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
The string of Trump endorsements, including four in Florida and five in two other states this week, have come as DeSantis faces a barrage of insults on social media and attack ads from Trump's camp.
Republican consultant, Ford O'Connell, noted that "When your calling card is Florida and folks in your own backyard defect that is never a good sign," suggesting that DeSantis' campaign is in a vulnerable position.
A source familiar with DeSantis’ thinking said the wave of endorsements had not persuaded the governor to accelerate his timetable for a presidential announcement, and that he is currently limited by law as to what he can do as a non-candidate.
DeSantis is expected to make clear his intentions after the Florida legislature wraps up its session in early May, followed by a more formal campaign launch in June.