KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis received a less enthusiastic reception than his rival, Donald Trump, at a recent Republican Party gathering in Florida. Many attendees at the “Freedom Summit” wore Trump-themed apparel, while the former president took the most prominent speaking spot at the event. Adding to DeSantis’s woes, seven Florida state lawmakers are expected to endorse Trump at the event, including five who had previously endorsed DeSantis. These defections are seen as a significant blow to DeSantis’s campaign, as he has fallen behind Trump in early state and national polling.
Although home-state endorsements usually have little impact on early nominating contests, this move is indicative of DeSantis’s changing political fortunes. Trump, who spends his winters in Palm Beach, seeks to build relationships with local Republicans in his bid for the presidency.
DeSantis downplayed the endorsements, stating that politicians will do what they want to do. He also emphasized that he still has more state legislative endorsements in Iowa and New Hampshire and a greater number of endorsements in Florida than any other candidate. However, these recent defections are viewed within Republican circles as another setback for DeSantis.
The timing of the summit is crucial, as the next Republican presidential debate is scheduled to take place in Miami next week. Trump is not expected to participate, having not taken part in the previous debates. DeSantis did not mention the former president by name in his speech but suggested that the party could no longer afford to lose.
Some Republican lawmakers have expressed envy over the lawmakers defecting to Trump’s camp. They have cited Trump’s strong lead in the GOP race as a reason for their defection. However, these endorsements are unlikely to sway most voters, according to a Florida-based polling firm.
All major Republican presidential candidates, except Nikki Haley, are expected to speak at the event and file to run in the Florida primary. Trump’s dominance in the race has placed his rivals in a challenging position, as they must either align with his positions to appeal to his voters or differentiate themselves by criticizing him.
DeSantis and his allies have sought to differentiate him from the former president, citing concerns over Trump’s off-the-cuff remarks and ongoing legal issues. However, audience members at the summit were unreceptive to any criticism of Trump. Asa Hutchinson and Chris Christie faced boos from the crowd when they made comments unfavorable to Trump, while Senator Tim Scott received a more tepid response when differentiating himself from Trump and DeSantis.
In contrast, Senator Rick Scott was met with applause when he mentioned his recent endorsement of Trump. Trump’s presence was also prevalent throughout the summit, with vendors selling Trump-themed merchandise and attendees wearing Trump-related stickers and signs.
Overall, the event highlighted DeSantis’s diminishing support in his home state and the challenges he faces in the GOP race, with Trump maintaining a significant lead. However, the impact of these defections on the overall race remains to be seen, with many voters paying little attention to endorsements.
