Just a day after launching a campaign for Senate District 3, Corey Simon received endorsement from Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Simon, a former All-American defensive tackle and graduate of Florida State University (FSU), announced on Monday that he would run on the Republican ticket to unseat the incumbent Democratic State Senator Loranne Ausley.

Following a multi-year stint in the National Football League, DeSantis tapped Simon in 2020 to serve as CEO of Volunteer Florida, where he managed over $23 million in federal and state funding to support efforts to expand national service, promote disaster resiliency, and advocate for volunteerism within the state.

“From Pompano to Doak Campbell to the NFL to leading Volunteer Florida, Corey Simon has been a leader and would make a great addition to the Florida Senate. I’m proud to endorse my friend [Corey Simon] for Senate District 3,” said DeSantis on Tuesday.

Following Monday’s announcement, Simon immediately picked up endorsements from GOP leaders in the Florida Senate. President Wilton Simpson, the leading Republican candidate for Agriculture Commissioner, backed Simon and touted his leadership during his tenure at Volunteer Florida.

“Tallahassee has given my family and I the opportunity to succeed and thrive both on the field and off. North Florida is our home, and I want to do everything I can to give back to the community that has given so much to us,” Simon said.

Senate President-Designate Kathleen Passidomo and Senator Ben Albritton, who are in line to lead the Senate in the coming years, also backed Simon’s bid to flip SD 3.

“A lot of people talk about what needs to be done to help our communities, but Corey Simon has actually put in the hard work to understand the challenges people face. That’s what problem solvers do,” said Passidomo. “I look forward to welcoming Corey to the Florida Senate.”

While SD 3 leans left, strategists see the district within reach for the Republican Simon with the district shifting six points in favor of the GOP after the latest round of redistricting.

“Leaders are born on the field, in the arena. No one has ever had to tell Corey Simon to pitch in. He has stood up, showed up and worked his tail off to ensure those most in need have the backup they deserve,” added Albritton. “Floridians need leaders like Corey Simon in the Florida Senate.”