Signs of a DeSantis presidential bid grow. When will he throw his hat in the ring?

Howard Cohen, Devoun Cetoute
·2 min read
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Ron DeSantis has not yet said whether he will be a candidate in the 2024 race for the White House.

But he is certainly acting like one.

On Saturday, with anticipation building for a presidential campaign launch, Florida’s Republican governor was in Iowa, home to the first GOP nominating contest next year. So was a tour bus encouraging Iowans to “Join Team DeSantis for President.”

At a fundraiser hosted by U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, DeSantis flipped burgers, pressed the flesh and gave a speech in which he continued to tout his accomplishments in Florida. Ahead of his visit, the state’s Senate president and House majority leader endorsed him as a presidential candidate, the Des Moines Register reported, despite the fact that he isn’t yet in the race.

“Governing is not about entertaining. Governing is not about building a brand or talking on social media and virtue signaling,” DeSantis said at Feenstra’s event, ahead of a second appearance scheduled later in the day with the state Republican Party chairman. “It’s ultimately about winning and producing results.”

DeSantis’ political team did not respond to a request for comment Saturday about his anticipated presidential rollout. His launch has been expected to follow the conclusion of the Florida legislative session, which ended in early May.

Already, there are clear signs that he is preparing an announcement.

NBC reported on Friday that DeSantis “is on the verge of announcing his presidential bid.” The governor and staffers are to move into a new “official campaign home” in Tallahassee, a move that will trigger disclosure requirements with federal officials.

Back in Iowa, Never Back Down, a Super PAC supporting DeSantis’ would-be presidential campaign, was active. Erin Perrine, a Never Back Down spokeswoman, posted photos and videos to Twitter of DeSantis chatting with Iowans and delivering his speech at Feenstra’s annual family picnic in Sioux Center.

She also confirmed with the Miami Herald that the Super PAC’s bus promoting DeSantis was in Iowa Saturday.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, an announced candidate who polls show leads a field of Republican hopefuls by a wide margin, was also expected in Iowa Saturday evening at a rally in Des Moines.

But Trump canceled the outdoor rally after weather officials warned of possible tornadoes and severe weather in the area.