DeSantis pulls in ‘Don’ $$
Boost for Fla. gov
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has pulled in millions of dollars for his reelection bid from former donors to President Donald Trump — a possible sign that some Trump supporters of the ex-president are looking for other candidates in the 2024 presidential race, according to a report.
A weekend Politico analysis of campaign finance data found that at least 10 donors who spent a total of $24 million on Trump’s 2020 reelection bid have since donated some $3.4 million to the Republican governor’s political committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis.
The analysis found many of the high-profile donors had never contributed in state-level Florida elections. Those who had provided funds to the Sunshine State massively increased their dollar donations.
Specifically, some of the donors include retired venture capitalist William Buckley, who has given the governor $1 million since DeSantis’ 2018 campaign; Richard Uihlein, who supported DeSantis with a $1.2 million donation this year, drastically up from the $700,000 he contributed in 2018; Home Depot founder Bernie Marcus, who has donated $500,000; and Steven Witkoff and Willis Johnson, who have each contributed $100,000.
Multiple donors who backed Trump heavily in 2020 — including Kelcy Warren, Larry Garatoni and Geoffrey Palmer — have also donated to DeSantis in this past year in amounts ranging from $20,000 to $50,000, according to the Sunday report.
The donations come as DeSantis faces reelection in November. So far, the governor has raised more than $100 million.
He has been frequently mentioned as a top GOP presidential contender in 2024 — if the former president doesn’t run.
While Trump is not expected to announce a decision on a presidential bid until after the midterm elections, he has repeatedly hinted at another run — and remains convinced he could win if he chose to vie for the presidency.
I don’t know if Ron is running, and I don’t ask him,” the 45th president told The New Yorker in a Monday report. “It’s his prerogative. I think I would win.”