Webdesk: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has filed the paperwork to run for president in 2024, setting up a potentially acrimonious fight with former President Donald Trump. This begins 18 months of intensive competition between the two Republican nominee candidates.
DeSantis, a rising Republican star, has hammered by Trump, hurting his political standing. Despite criminal investigations, Trump has gained popularity, surprising DeSantis.
The 44-year-old governor submitted his candidature documents to the Federal Election Commission hours before his livestreamed Twitter audio conversation with billionaire Elon Musk. Never Back Down, a pro-DeSantis group, released a video of his victory address from November 2022, where he declared that “Florida where woke goes to die.”
The news preceded DeSantis’s top donors’ three-day retreat in Miami for campaign briefings. After the retreat, the governor will campaign in early-voting states.
The most likely Republican rival against Trump, DeSantis, is less well known than the former president. His launch format gives him access to Elon Musk’s large following, many of whom support Trump. DeSantis intends to attract younger, less conservative voters if he wins the nomination.
Governor DeSantis has emphasised his conservative credentials. He signed various state legislation addressing “woke indoctrination” in schools and public institutions, gender identity and sexual orientation talks, university diversity promotion budget cuts, and tight abortion regulations.
However, policy mistakes are hurting DeSantis’ approval numbers. Closing the polling gap with Trump, who leads despite legal issues, will be difficult.
Both the Trump and DeSantis teams are lobbying state lawmakers for endorsements, while Florida’s congressional delegation supports Trump. Elon Musk, a DeSantis supporter, hosted the campaign launch event but stressed Twitter’s neutrality on the issue.
Trump shared positive polling on Truth Social after DeSantis’s statement. A Trump adviser said DeSantis preferred to announce on Twitter to avoid media questions.
