Florida’s Republican congressmembers are confident that the next president will come from their home state, but most aren’t revealing who they’d tap – former President Donald Trump or Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to Politico.
Many GOP congressmembers were reluctant to disclose who they will back in 2024, and only two Republicans were willing to reveal their preference, Politico reported after asking all of Florida’s 20 GOP House members. Reps. Matt Gaetz and Anna Paulina Luna were open about their support for Trump, while the rest of the group argued it was too politically fraught a question.
“Who am I supporting, Governor DeSantis or Trump? Trump,” Luna told Politico. “I love DeSantis. I don’t think anyone will ever be able to compete with him as governor and I’ll be sad to see if he leaves early. I hope he doesn’t, but I love them both.”
As DeSantis hasn’t officially entered the Republican primary race, he has yet to receive any formal backing from the House members for a 2024 campaign.
“Oh, wow. You really are trying to get me into a situation here,” Rep. Neal Dunn told Politico. “I don’t need to make myself a target for a year.”
Dunn said he has “pretty much” come to a decision, but declined to say who he would be backing for the time being. Rep. Aaron Bean echoed Dunn, calling a decision between the two contenders a “Sophie’s choice.”
“Do you think I want to talk about that? You think I’m crazy?” another Florida GOP Rep. told Politico.
Other Florida congressmembers said they are waiting to see who else jumps in the race, like Daniel Webster, Mario Diaz-Balart and Vern Buchanan, Politico reported.
A recent Florida state primary poll indicates that DeSantis is leading Trump by a wide margin of 25%, though the former president continues to lead in national primary polls.
Neither DeSantis’ team or Trump’s campaign immediately responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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