Title: Rifts between Trump and DeSantis Expose Tensions within Florida Republicans, Fueling the 2024 Revenge Tour
Subtitle: Former allies turned adversaries in the race for GOP supremacy
Date: [Date]
In a dramatic turn of events, a Florida Republican lawmaker has switched his allegiance from Governor Ron DeSantis to former President Donald Trump, casting doubt on DeSantis’ support for the Jewish community. This move follows another state lawmaker’s recruitment efforts to persuade more colleagues to join the Trump bandwagon, revealing deepening divisions within the party. As the 2024 campaign heats up, the tug of war for home-state supremacy between Trump and DeSantis has intensified, threatening to overshadow Florida Republicans.
Trump’s strategic exploitation of rifts within the state GOP has proven successful, particularly as DeSantis alienates key figures while ascending to political stardom. The evolving relationship between DeSantis, Trump, and the rest of the GOP primary field will take center stage as they address Florida Republicans in a state party event this weekend near Orlando. The level of support for both candidates will be closely monitored during this event.
Notably, DeSantis is sandwiched between Florida Senator Rick Scott, with whom he shares a contentious relationship, and state Representative Randy Fine, the only Jewish Republican lawmaker in Florida. Fine has recently criticized DeSantis, alleging that the governor has not done enough to combat Nazis and antisemitism in the state. Scott has already endorsed Trump, while Fine switched his allegiance to the former president last month. Trump allies Reps. Byron Donalds and Matt Gaetz will further prime Republicans in attendance before Trump concludes the event with his keynote address.
In a further display of power, Trump has strategically planned counterprogramming in Hialeah during the Republican Party’s third presidential debate taking place in Miami. The former president will then host Florida Republicans at Mar-a-Lago, solidifying his courtship of party leaders and donors. DeSantis, on the other hand, will attend fundraisers within the state.
Simultaneously, DeSantis faces challenges within the GOP-controlled state Legislature, even as he seeks to maintain his command. State lawmakers, responding to the governor’s urging, are returning to Tallahassee next week to pass new sanctions against Iran following Hamas’ attack on Israel last month. They will also address the state’s property insurance crisis, an issue that has generated negative headlines for DeSantis. These controversies have eroded the governor’s influence, casting doubt on his previously unquestioned status.
As the Iowa caucuses draw near, Trump remains the front-runner in early nominating states and national polls, while DeSantis has slipped into a distant second place alongside a resurgent Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor. DeSantis’ attempts to re-establish himself as Florida’s dominant political force have met with resistance from adversaries accumulated over the past decade. Fine’s criticism of DeSantis serves as an example of the governor’s challenges. Although DeSantis dismissed Fine’s remarks as an attention-seeking ploy, his allies are preparing for potential defections from more lawmakers. One DeSantis adviser expects as many as six Republicans in the Legislature, particularly freshmen lawmakers, to switch sides.
State Senator Joe Gruters, previously cooled off by DeSantis, is actively recruiting more Republicans to support Trump. Gruters anticipates having a robust group of defectors to announce in the coming weeks. However, he acknowledges DeSantis’ current advantages due to his line-item veto authority, which has swayed most lawmakers to remain loyal. State House Speaker Paul Renner also supports DeSantis, highlighting the governor’s track record of delivering results and positioning the GOP for success in Florida and beyond.
Despite mounting challenges, DeSantis’ campaign maintains that the governor remains well-positioned in his home state. His spokesperson, Andrew Romeo, emphasizes DeSantis’ widespread support among elected officials, despite facing a de facto incumbent president. Romeo asserts that Floridians desire a strong leader who can replicate the governor’s results-oriented approach on the national stage.
Nonetheless, DeSantis finds himself pitted against former staffers and advisers who now work diligently to thwart his White House ambitions. Many within Trump’s political operation are former DeSantis allies who once played key roles in his success. Their return to the former president reveals deep-seated personal animosity, which threatens to undermine DeSantis’ campaign. The volume of ex-DeSantis staffers within Trump’s team has led some to quip that Trump’s campaign could be aptly named “the 2024 revenge tour.”
In the ongoing battle for Florida’s political landscape, DeSantis’ damaged relationship with the state’s consultant class places him at a disadvantage. He faces a shortage of experienced campaign operatives, while Trump continues to harness his political prowess. Both candidates recognize the strategic significance of Florida, a state with both symbolic importance and a substantial delegate count in the mid-March nominating contest.
While DeSantis has faced setbacks, he enjoys the support of close allies, including Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo. Passidomo praises DeSantis for his collaborative and attentive approach, countering the negative portrayals that have circulated in the media.
Ultimately, the evolving dynamics between Trump, DeSantis, and the rest of the GOP primary field will be closely scrutinized as the 2024 campaign unfolds in Florida. Divisions within the party, strategic moves by both candidates, and the shifting allegiances of lawmakers will undoubtedly shape the path to victory in this crucial swing state.