Former President Donald Trump will face a 2024 primacy challenge from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to a new report from the Washington Post.
Two unnamed individuals close to DeSantis say he has privately indicated his intent to make a bid for the presidency, the Post reported.
Separately, a GOP-insider told Timcast that the DeSantis team has been quietly scooping up social media political influencers and putting them on payroll for endorsements and support.
“Allies do not expect him to announce a run until after the Florida state legislative session ends in May. But in recent conversations, DeSantis has described his presidential plans without any caveats that would suggest he’s still deciding,” the Post reported.
On March 10, a new pro-DeSantis political action committee (PAC) launched. The Never Back Down PAC is led by Ken Cuccinelli, former attorney general of Virginia who also served as the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security under the Trump administration.
“I have been speaking to many grassroots conservative activists around the country who are very enthusiastic for Governor DeSantis to run for President in 2024,” Cuccinelli said in a statement announcing the launch. “The energy is there, grassroots conservatives see the Governor as a leader and a fighter with a winning conservative track record who will lead the Republican Party to victory in 2024. Based on those conversations, I am most confident that we will build an unmatched grassroots political army for Governor DeSantis to help carry him to the White House.”
Trump, who still holds a decisive lead over DeSantis in multiple polls, launched a fresh attack on his potential primary rival the night Cuccinelli’s new PAC was announced.
“Why on earth (farmer’s love earth!) would the wonderful people of the GREAT State of Iowa vote for Ron DeSanctimonious when he voted and fought to KILL Ethanol (and will definitely do so if given the chance), voted 4 times, as a disciple of Paul Ryan, to decimate Social Security and MediCare, and bring the minimum age on Social Security to at least 70 years old (he wanted higher!),” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. “He will be in Iowa on Friday to beg for mercy. I supported Ethanol, FIRED NAFTA, & made USMCA & China Trade Deals!”
