DeSantis reaches out to Oklahoma voters in Tulsa visit; gets Gov. Stitt's endorsement

TULSA -- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis packed a sweltering hot event barn in east Tulsa Saturday for his first Oklahoma campaign stop of the 2024 presidential campaign season.

Introducing him was fellow Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, who officially endorsed DeSantis by drawing parallels between their administrations. Touting his refusal of mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic and the decision to send 100 Oklahoma Army National Guard troops to the Mexican border, Stitt called DeSantis the "point of the spear" as a conservative leader.

"We need the next president to be in office for eight years," Stitt said. "I believe Ron DeSantis is the right guy to beat Joe Biden."

Jim Bridenstine, a former Oklahoma Congressman and NASA administrator, also gave opening remarks and endorsed DeSantis.

During his 30-minute stump speech, DeSantis touched on the Republican Party's greatest hits.

Calling out Anthony Fauci, the infectious disease expert who became a favorite whipping post of conservatives during the pandemic? Check. At least four times.

Illegal immigration? Check. DeSantis told the crowd he'd bring the issues at the southern border to "a final conclusion."

Gun rights and abortion? Check and check.

Eventually, DeSantis brought out his familiar critique of diversity, equity and inclusion policies adopted by both government and the business community.

"DEI as it's actually practiced is better characterized as discrimination, exclusion and indoctrination," DeSantis said.

And of course, he brought up his ongoing home-state fight with Disney.

The event was organized by the Never Back Down super PAC. Held at The F&E Creek Event Center along historic Route 66, the rally drew hundreds of people who packed the building. It seemed like as many people waited outside while those lucky enough to arrive early were able to get close to the stage.

Before the rally officially began, DeSantis and his wife, Casey, stood on a truck bed outside the event center, giving an abridged stump speech to the over-capacity crowd who couldn't get inside.

Jennifer and Loren Vanlandingham saw DeSantis speak Saturday and said they liked what they saw.

"We were for Trump, and now Biden's here and it's been a disaster," Jennifer said, referring to former President Donald Trump.

Loren echoed those comments, and said he's ready for a fresh face.

"I think Trump still has some good issues. It's just the baggage that he brings and unnecessary comments. It's going to be a no for us. I'd rather someone speak the truth, do the truth, hold to it. Every mistake we make, we have to live with," he said. "The Hillary Clintons, the Bidens, the Trumps should all be held accountable for the corruption that there is."

DeSantis struck a populist tone during his speech, which reverberated with Vanessa Axtell and Jacob Fabian, who attended the rally together.

"Trump is a businessman. America is people," Fabian said. "DeSantis took care of the people first in Florida. That's all he cared about."

Vanessa elaborated on her support for DeSantis, viewed through the lens of his campaign against the former Republican president.

"(Trump) doesn't have the same family values. He's a little bit of a hot head. It's not really someone you want as president. You want someone who can keep their calm and cool," Axtell said.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: DeSantis brings familiar, populist message to Oklahoma; get's Stitt's endorsement