Prominent megadonors have been discreetly engaging with Republican Govs. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia and Brian Kemp of Georgia, urging them to contest the former President Donald Trump in the upcoming 2024 elections, as per a report by Axios.
Axios revealed that as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis flounders in the polls against Trump, these Republican donors are on the lookout for other potential candidates to emerge as last-minute contenders. Both Youngkin and Kemp had earlier dismissed the idea of a 2024 run. However, insiders have indicated that they might reconsider their decisions as influential donors approach them.
“People are desperate. They are concerned with what could happen if Trump wins the primaries and they want a viable alternative,” a Republican insider revealed to Axios.
Billionaire Ronald Lauder stands among the Republican donors who might support Youngkin for a presidential run, as per sources who conversed with him. Another billionaire, Thomas Peterffy, who once endorsed DeSantis for the presidency, recently made a significant contribution of $2 million to Youngkin’s Spirit of Virginia political action committee.
Rupert Murdoch, the media magnate behind Fox News and the New York Post, harbors hopes that Youngkin will step up against the former president, who has faced multiple indictments.
“Virginia’s getting attention because Governor Youngkin’s common-sense conservative leadership is working. There’s more to do, so the governor’s not taking his eye off Virginia; these (legislative) races are too important,” Dave Rexrode, chairman of the Spirit of Virginia PAC, conveyed in a statement to the Daily Caller.
Youngkin has consistently emphasized his commitment to Virginia when questioned about a potential 2024 run. He clarified on May 1 that he had no intentions of running for president “this year.” Yet, Axios disclosed in late May that Youngkin might be reevaluating his decision regarding a presidential campaign.
A Republican strategist, well-acquainted with Youngkin and the super PAC’s strategies, highlighted the governor’s dedication to the upcoming November legislative elections.
“He maintains a steady national media profile; he has since coming into office and uses the appearances to pump Virginia,” the strategist said. “Reconsidering? The answer has always been the same, he’s flattered but focused on Virginia this fall.”
John Bolton, the former Trump administration National Security Adviser, privately urged Kemp earlier this month to oppose his former superior, whom he has often criticized, as per a source who spoke to Axios. Kemp, too, has dismissed the idea of a 2024 presidential run, fueling speculations that he might challenge Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in 2026 after completing his second term as governor.
Recent data from the RealClear Politics average for the 2024 national Republican primary, based on polls from July 31 to Aug. 17, shows Trump leading DeSantis by a significant margin of over 40 points. Following them are conservative businessman Vivek Ramaswamy with 7.2%, former Vice President Mike Pence with 5.2% and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley with 3.4%. Other notable figures like former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott garnered 2.7% support, while the remaining Republican candidates secured less than 1%.
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.
