It’s official.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has officially filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) hours ahead of his expected announcement.
The Florida governor has been widely expected to enter the 2024 Republican presidential primary for months.
DeSantis joins a growing primary field. Earlier this week Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) announced his bid for the White House. Former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley, tech mogul Vivek Ramaswamy, and former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson have also jumped into the race.
Former President Donald Trump has consistently commanded polls since announcing his third presidential campaign.
DeSantis has already attracted some high-profile supporters. Hours before his official announcement the Sunshine State’s second in command Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez endorsed his campaign.
In a statement shared first with The Hill, Nuñez described DeSantis as a “fighter” with a proven track record of governing:
“He’s a great Governor and an even better man,” Nuñez, who would succeed DeSantis if he were to be elected president, said. “He is guided by his convictions and principles. He does not waiver in the face of adversity. Over the last five years, I’ve served as his Lieutenant Governor and I’ve watched him fight. No one has had a better front row seat to the depth and breadth of his courage.”
“Now America needs him. That is why I’m honored to unequivocally endorse Ron DeSantis for President. It’s time to join together for the future of our great nation and meet this moment. He will never back down and he has only begun to fight.”
Prominent Republican donor Hal Lambert has also opted to support DeSantis over Trump’s latest White House bid. (RELATED: Top Trump Mega-Donor Jumps Ship, Will Support DeSantis In 2024)
“I’m in for DeSantis this time — I plan to do a lot to help DeSantis win,” Lambert told the New York Post prior to DeSantis joining the race. “Ron is good at giving a message.”
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