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DeSantis receives 99 presidential endorsements from state lawmakers

Caden DeLisa

Gov. Ron DeSantis added a war chest of endorsements to his growing arsenal on Wednesday as 99 state GOP lawmakers announced their public backing of his anticipated bid for the White House.

Despite not yet launching an official campaign, DeSantis has garnered significant support from state Republicans, including Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, House Speaker Paul Renner, and the Pro Tempore of both chambers, Sen. Dennis Baxley and Rep. Chuck Clemons.

Amid speculation that they could break for former president Donald Trump in the GOP primary, Passidomo and Renner served as two of DeSantis’ biggest political allies since being appointed to their leadership roles, helping the governor usher in his list of legislative priorities during the most recent legislative session.

“There is no greater vision for the future of our country than the “Florida Blueprint” Governor DeSantis spearheaded over the last several years,” said Passidomo. “Under his leadership during the pandemic, the Free State of Florida became a beacon of liberty and opportunity like never before, as families and businesses flocked from high-tax, lockdown states in search of a better way of life. Governor DeSantis is exactly the kind of leader we need for our country, and I look forward to supporting him for President.”

Wednesday’s rollout of endorsements leaves thirteen GOP lawmakers who have not made their stance public. Sen. Joe Gruters stands as the sole supporter of Trump among the Republican legislators, having served as a longstanding political ally of the former President dating back to his role as the Florida co-chairman of Trump’s 2016 campaign.

The endorsements coincide with reports of Team DeSantis relocating from the Republican Party of Florida headquarters this week, hinting at an imminent announcement of DeSantis’ presidential candidacy. The cost of the move is likely to surpass $5,000, triggering a Federal Elections Commission requirement that necessitates a ‘Statement of Candidacy’ filing within 15 days.

DeSantis’ political operation also informed The Capitolist that he earned endorsements from 51 New Hampshire state legislators this week, coming just days after DeSantis 37 Iowa state legislators backed his forthcoming campaign.

The Trump campaign issued immediate criticisms of DeSantis’ endorsements, asserting that state legislators risk shortcomings for their legislative agendas should they elect to align themselves with Trump or another GOP candidate.

“It’s no surprise that Ron DeSantis and his political cronies have continued to terrorize the Florida legislature with the threat of his veto pen if they don’t acquiesce to his demand to endorse his candidacy,” said Trump campaign Spokesperson Stephen Cheung. “Those who he can’t control—including almost the entirety of the Florida federal congressional delegation— have endorsed President Trump because he’s the only candidate who can beat Joe Biden and take back the White House.”

In a show of strong home state support in recent months, Trump received the endorsements of 11 U.S. Representatives from Florida including Rep. Matt Gaetz, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, and Rep. Byron Donalds. Trump’s congressional endorsements from Florida are the most for any presidential contender from a rival’s home state at this time in the primary calendar since at least 1972, according to FiveThirtyEight’s historical database of endorsements in presidential primaries.

Representatives endorsing DeSantis: 

Senators endorsing DeSantis