Florida’s GOP congressional delegation is getting caught up in the heated contest between former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis, with the two GOP heavyweights vying for endorsements and DeSantis’ team trying to halt Trump’s momentum after four Florida lawmakers publicly backed him.
U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, said DeSantis’ team contacted him. He assumes they wanted to talk about his endorsement, but has not spoken with them.
“Yeah, they have reached out,” Steube told USA TODAY Network – Florida. “When we are ready to endorse a candidate for president we will.”
NBC News reported this week that DeSantis’ political operation has been calling Republicans in Florida’s congressional delegation to try to keep them from endorsing Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
Poll:DeSantis leads Trump in Florida as governor’s approval rating climbs to 59%
An ‘unbelievable assault’:California Gov. Newsom rips DeSantis during Sarasota visit with New College students
In addition to Steube, DeSantis’ team has contacted Florida U.S. Reps Vern Buchanan, Aaron Bean, Kat Cammack, Mario Diaz-Balart and Laurel Lee, according to NBC.
“They’re both great Republicans, and we’ll see what develops down the road,” Buchanan adviser Max Goodman told NBC about endorsing Trump or DeSantis.
The push by DeSantis to consolidate support in Florida comes after Trump picked up two more endorsements in the state over the last week, U.S. Rep. Cory Mills and U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds. U.S. Reps Matt Gaetz and Anna Paulina Luna also have endorsed Trump.
‘The right person’:Congressman Cory Mills endorses Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential bid
Who is Byron Donalds?6 things to know
Donalds’ endorsement is particularly notable because he has been considered a DeSantis ally. The Naples Republican introduced DeSantis at his victory party on election night last year.
“There is only one leader at this time in our nation’s history who can seize this moment and deliver what we need − to get us back on track, provide strength and resolve, and Make America Great Again,” Donalds said in his endorsement. “That is why I am honored to endorse President Donald J. Trump for President in 2024.”
While DeSantis has not announced a campaign for president, he has been laying the groundwork for a potential run and is coming under intense criticism from Trump.
DeSantis has seen his poll number drop in recent weeks amid Trump’s attacks, and the former president continued to gain momentum after he was indicted in Manhattan on criminal charges of falsifying business documents, with Republicans rallying around him.
Trump is keeping the pressure on DeSantis, writing on social media recently that the governor should opt out of the 2024 presidential race.
“Ron DeSantis is a young man who is not doing well against me in the polls, to put it mildly,” Trump wrote. “I believe that if he decides to run for President… he will lose the cherished and massive MAGA vote, and never be able to successfully run for office again. If he remains Governor… it would be a whole different story… JUST SAYIN’ − but who knows?”
