The speculation that Ron DeSantis will run as President of the United States continues. The Governor of Florida is on a tour promoting his governance of Florida and his policy ideas and goals. He also offers advice about how Republicans can win despite electoral setbacks elsewhere.
DeSantis, who was reelected in November by 20 points, effectively made the swing state a solidly-red state. It happened despite a “red wave” of Republicans trying to win in the wake of opposition to President Joe Biden’s policies and actions. Despite many disappointments during the 2022 midterms, Florida was one of the bright spots for the GOP.
Florida Governor has been on an ostensible book tour. However, many analysts view it as a de facto presidential election before he declares. His next stop could be the most definitive confirmation of that. DeSantis will travel to South Carolina on April 19.
The South Carolina presidential primary is scheduled for early 2024. It is widely considered to be the first in the South, and one of the most significant in terms of building momentum early in the primary calendar.
This will be DeSantis’ first public event in South Carolina. Although he did attend a private fundraiser last spring, the April 19 event will mark his first presentation to South Carolina’s people of the governor’s freedom blueprint. DeSantis has been promoting the “freedom blueprint” at various events across the country, including New York and Pennsylvania.
According to the Associated Press, Josh Kimbrell, South Carolina State Senator, is the local politician who made the event possible.
Kimbrell said to the AP on Sunday that he was hoping to bring DeSantis to South Carolina for months. He argued that politically savvy Republicans living in early-voting states are used to being given multiple opportunities to meet presidential candidates in person.
Kimbrell said that he had told everyone in his team, “You’ve got get here early and often,” adding that he has joined efforts to help a political action committee to encourage DeSantis into the race. “I have tried to make it clear that if you want to win, you need to get here early,” Kimbrell said. South Carolina has hosted GOP candidates for several months, including Trump, the former governor of South Carolina. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Governor. Asa Hutchinson. Many of the people expected to join the field have been on trips, including Mike Pence, former Vice President. After a swing through Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, Senator Tim Scott will return home to South Carolina this week for a summit of donors as he considers making a bid.
Kimbrell admitted that he enjoyed Trump’s presidency but believes DeSantis is the best way forward for the GOP. He said, “I believe Ron DeSantis has as much popularity among my base as Trump.”
Trump’s popularity has been on the rise lately, due to a legal drama that involves him fighting on many fronts. Trump continues to investigate the Department of Justice and Georgia after being indicted on widely-criticized charges of business fraud. Trump says that he has found the ongoing legal “persecution” to be beneficial in the short term. He has received millions of small-dollar donations and is seeing a healthy increase in polling.
