FIRST ON FOX: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ political team threw some subtle shade at former President Donald Trump on Wednesday after the Republican rising star and likely presidential nominee received the endorsement of 99 lawmakers in the legislature of the state of Florida.
“Ron DeSantis’ support among Republicans in the Florida Legislature is nearly universal because these lawmakers have partnered with the governor to pass the strongest conservative agenda in the state’s history, putting Florida at the top of the rankings in all key metrics.” a senior official in DeSantis’ political operation told Fox News Digital.
The official’s use of the phrase “almost universal” was a clear reference to Trump’s statement in April that his “support is nearly universal in Florida” after he received the support of nearly half of Florida’s Republican congressional delegation.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, and former President Donald Trump. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images // Win McNamee/Getty Images)
The 99 Florida lawmakers who support DeSantis, who has yet to announce a run for president, are a commanding chunk of the state’s 113 Republican lawmakers, of whom Trump has only received the support of one.
DeSantis, however, has the support of only one Republican member of Congress from Florida: Rep. Laurel Lee.
Trump’s campaign responded to the endorsements by accusing DeSantis of using his veto power as governor to force them to support his potential White House bid.
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Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stopped by a Buc-ee’s for a surprise book signing on March 2, 2023. (Team DeSantis)
“It’s no wonder that Ron DeSantis and his political cronies have continued to terrorize the Florida Legislature with the threat of their veto pen if they don’t accede to his demand to endorse his candidacy,” said the spokesman campaign Stephen Cheung in a statement.
“There are some brave lawmakers who have stood up to DeSantis’ swamp-like behavior and stood up to his bullying tactics to do what’s right for Florida and the country. Those he can’t control, including almost all of Florida. federal congressional delegation: They’ve supported President Trump because he’s the only candidate who can beat Joe Biden and take back the White House,” he added.
Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media during an election night event at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida on November 8, 2022. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Polls show Trump as the overwhelming favorite in the 2024 race for the Republican nomination, with DeSantis a distant second. When the governor’s long-awaited campaign launch arrives, he will join a growing field that includes former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, conservative host Larry Elder and former Gov. ‘Arkansas Asa Hutchinson.
Brandon Gillespie is an associate editor at Fox News. Follow him on Twitter at @brandon_cg.
