While he has not officially announced his campaign for the 2024 presidential election, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to throw his hat in the ring.
The Democratic candidate is in Washington D.C. to drum up support in what is expected to be an intense head-to-head battle with former President Donald Trump.
What Happened: Trump announced plans to run for the 2024 presidential election in November 2022. The former president is expected to face off against DeSantis for the Republican nomination and set up a potential rematch against President Joe Biden if he defeats the Florida governor.
The former president was indicted on federal charges and arrested in New York. Despite the potential legal setback, Trump has surged ahead of DeSantis in polls.
To fend off the rally by Trump, DeSantis is appearing in Washington D.C. alongside several Republican members of Congress to talk about policy and where he stands on several areas.
An invite shared by Punchbowl showed DeSantis will meet with guests on April 18 between 5 p.m. ET and 7 p.m. ET. The listed members of Congress on the invite are Reps. Ken Buck, Randy Feenstra, Mike Gallagher, Bob Good, Darin LaHood, Laurel Lee, Thomas Massie, Chip Roy and Sen. Mike Lee.
The invitation lists the event as “And to the Republic.”
Punchbowl stated the list of attendees will likely leak out and could put targets on members of Congress by Trump for attending the event, including the Congress members listed on the invitation.
Related Link: Pro-Trump Super PAC Takes Aim At Ron DeSantis With 'Dirty Fingers On Pudding' Ad
Why It’s Important: The attendance by DeSantis in Washington D.C. could come with several key points.
Punchbowl says that Trump and his supporters could focus on the fact that the Florida governor is traveling to Washington D.C. and has gone to other parts of the country as Florida has major problems, including a flood in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding Broward County.
DeSantis is also set in a fierce battle against Walt Disney Co. DIS, which will include new rules to govern the theme park in Florida announced on Wednesday.
The battle against Disney could be another area where Trump can attack DeSantis and also a key area where the Florida governor may have to decide what is most important in terms of running for president, running Florida or winning the war against the media giant.
The balance between running the state of Florida and campaigning for president could be a difficult task for DeSantis to do and likewise could become an easy issue for Trump to attack.
NBC News reported several Republican Congress members from the state of Florida have thrown their support for Trump for the 2024 presidential election.
“There is clearly some angst from the DeSantis camp that so many members of the state’s congressional delegation are throwing their support behind Trump,” a GOP consultant told NBC News.
The event by DeSantis on Tuesday comes as many polls show Trump gaining support among Republicans after his indictment and arrest.
While DeSantis has not announced his campaign, he has started with several advertising campaigns including those aimed against Biden and Democrats and a new one aimed at Trump.
The betting odds show DeSantis with the third-best odds to be elected president in 2024 at +350 to +175 and +250 for Biden and Trump, respectively. DeSantis has fallen in polls and the betting odds over the last several months.
A show of support from current members of Congress could go a long way in fundraising, polling figures and betting odds for DeSantis.
Read Next: Trump Warns Ron DeSantis — Running For President Means Losing 'Cherished And Massive MAGA' Vote Base
Photo: Gage Skidmore via Flickr Creative Commons
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