Immediately after the first Republican presidential primary debate on Wednesday evening, over 20 state and county officials extended their endorsements to Ron DeSantis.
These new endorsements add to DeSantis’ total of 300 state-level endorsements, despite the Florida governor’s declining status in the polls and apparent loss of momentum.
Nonetheless, the campaign’s strategic focus has been on early caucus and primary states as well as those anticipated to be crucial battlegrounds come 2024. A notable highlight from the campaign reveals that over 11,000 Iowans have pledged their support for DeSantis in the state’s premier Republican caucuses scheduled for January 15.
The new endorsements come from officials in 10 states: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Georgia.
Among the officials endorsing DeSantis are Arkansas state Reps. Zack Gramlich, Aaron Pilkington and Ryan Rose; California Assemblymen Joe Patterson and Tom Lackey and Colorado state Sen. Larry Liston. Others include Georgia state Rep. Jodi Lott, Illinois Senate Deputy Republican Leader Sue Rezin and a host of representatives from Kansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.
“Hardworking Americans are getting hammered by Joe Biden’s radical policies and rising prices. We need a president who understands how to rebuild the American dream and fight for the middle class. Ron DeSantis has the vision, experience, and energy to reverse our economy’s decline and make life affordable for working families,” Gino Bulso of Tennessee said.
“Governor Ron DeSantis is the conservative warrior who can reverse our nation’s decline and revive America. As a resident of Gavin Newsom’s California, I know too well the ruinous costs of progressive lunacy. Only Ron DeSantis can restore sanity,” Joe Patterson of California said.
“As a mom and Illinois State Senator, I am concerned about what our children are being taught in the classroom and what kind of country they will inherit. Ron DeSantis is the only candidate who can be trusted to fight for my family the same way he fights for his and I am proud to endorse him for president,” Sue Rezin announced.
DeSantis’ campaign continues to focus on consolidating state-level support across the nation. While the Florida governor claims the highest number of state-level endorsements among Republican primary candidates, this assertion is challenged by Trump’s campaign. Trump, however, remains dominant in securing endorsements from high-profile federal figures, including governors, congressmen and senators.
Following the RNC debate, DeSantis has set his sights on Iowa and will soon be making his presence felt in South Carolina, where he’s slated to headline Rep. Jeff Duncan’s “Faith and Freedom BBQ.”
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