Gov. Ron DeSantis endorsed former state Senate President Mike Haridopolos for Florida’s 8th Congressional District, highlighting his conservative leadership and pledge to focus on border security.

Gov. Ron DeSantis endorsed former state Senate President Mike Haridopolos on Tuesday for Florida’s 8th Congressional District.

The endorsement, announced in Melbourne, noted Haridopolos’ conservative record and legislative experience.

“I am happy to endorse Mike Haridopolos for Florida’s 8th Congressional District,” DeSantis said. “Mike is a proven conservative leader who served as Senate President here in Florida. Mike has pledged to secure the border, end inflation, get government spending under control, and support our military and veterans. I’m excited to see Mike’s continued success in Congress for the Space Coast.”

Haridopolos expressed gratitude for the endorsement and praised DeSantis’ leadership.

“Governor DeSantis has been a monumental leader for the State of Florida. I am deeply honored and grateful to have his endorsement,” Haridopolos said. He emphasized his focus on protecting states’ rights, combating illegal immigration, revitalizing the economy, and reducing government intervention. “For too long, the federal government has trampled on states’ rights. In Congress, I will work with Governor DeSantis to protect Floridians from illegal immigration, restore our economy, and get government out of our lives.”

Haridopolos’s campaign has garnered significant support, including endorsements from former President Donald Trump and other prominent Republicans including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Florida’s entire cabinet. His campaign has also raised more than $1 million.

“I’m incredibly proud of the support we’ve received,” he said during an interview with The Capitolist in May, noting the momentum his campaign has gained.

Haridopolos has also received pledges of support from Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and Republican Conference Chairman Elise Stefanik.

Haridopolos announced his candidacy in April for the U.S. House of Representatives in Florida’s 8th Congressional District, aiming to succeed the retiring Rep. Bill Posey. The announcement came hours after Posey, a Republican who has represented the district since 2008, declared he would not seek reelection at the end of his term. Posey subsequently endorsed Haridopolos.

Congressional District 8, covering Brevard, Indian River, and part of Orange Counties, is a Republican stronghold, with Posey having secured the seat comfortably in past elections.

Polling conducted by his campaign this month showed Haridopolos with 56 percent support, ahead of opponents John Hearton at 6 percent and Joseph Babits at 4 percent, while undecided voters account for 33 percent. When undecided voters were asked to choose, 59 percent favored Haridopolos, while 31 percent supported Hearton and 10 percent backed Babits.

Haridopolos also has high name recognition, with 67 percent of respondents viewing him favorably and 12 percent unfavorably. 6 percent of voters said they had never heard of him. In comparison, Hearton has a 20 percent favorable rating and Babits 19 percent.

The poll, conducted by Spry Strategies from July 23 to July 26, used IVR and online text-to-web interviews with a sample of 532 likely primary voters. The margin of error is +/- 4.2 percentage points.