DeSantis pulls in millions from former Trump donors ahead of November election

President Donald Trump, left, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2019..
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has pulled in thousands and thousands of dollars for his re-election bid from former donors to President Donald Trump — a doable signal that some Trump supporters are on the lookout for different candidates within the 2024 presidential race, in accordance with a report.

A weekend Politico evaluation of marketing campaign finance information discovered that at the very least 10 donors who spent $24 million on Trump’s re-election bid in 2020 have since donated roughly $3.4 million to the Republican governor’s political committee, Mates of Ron DeSantis. 

The evaluation discovered that lots of the high-profile donors had by no means contributed in state-level Florida elections. Those that had supplied funds to the Sunshine State massively elevated their greenback donations. 

Particularly, a few of the donors embrace William Buckley, who has given the governor $1 million since DeSantis’ 2018 marketing campaign; Richard Uihlein, who supported DeSantis with a $1.2 million donation this yr, drastically up from the $700,000 he contributed in 2018; House Depot founder Bernie Marcus, who has donated $500,000; in addition to Steven Witkoff and Willis Johnson, who've contributed $100,000 every. 

A number of donors who backed Trump closely in 2020 — together with Kelcy Warren, Larry Garatoni and Geoffrey Palmer — have additionally donated to DeSantis on this previous yr in quantities starting from $20,000 to $50,000, in accordance with the Sunday report. 

Former President Trump mentioned he believes he can be beat the Florida governor if he decides to run.

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The donations come as DeSantis faces re-election in November. On this election cycle thus far, the governor has raised over $100 million. 

He has been often weighed as a high GOP contender for president in 2024 — if the previous president forgoes a run. 

Whereas Trump shouldn't be anticipated to announce a choice on a presidential bid till after the midterm elections, he has repeatedly hinted at one other run — and stays satisfied he might win if he selected to. 

“I don’t know if Ron is working, and I don’t ask him,” the forty fifth president advised The New Yorker in a Monday report. “It’s his prerogative. I believe I'd win.” 

Regardless of the arrogance, many Republicans imagine DeSantis has a shot on the Oval Workplace. 

“I believe Ron’s fundraising actually speaks for itself,” longtime Republican donor and former Florida Congressman Francis Rooney advised Politico. 

“It's doable Trump’s share of Republicans retains happening and I believe it’s doable individuals will begin trying elsewhere.” 

Earlier this month, a straw ballot of the 2024 presidential candidates on the Western Conservative Summit discovered DeSantis on high of the previous president. 

The governor obtained 74% approval from the attendees, in comparison with Trump’s 71%. The following-closest potential GOP contender was Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas at 29%.

Nonetheless, the Trump marketing campaign shouldn't be fazed. 

Spokesperson Taylor Budowich advised Politico on Sunday that “like different candidates who've been propelled to victory due to the endorsement of President Trump, Governor DeSantis is amongst a big group of elected officers from throughout the nation who proceed to profit from President Trump’s MAGA motion.”