Gimenez latest Florida Republican to back TRUMP over DeSantis as the race to secure backing ramps up

Rep. Carlos Gimenez is the latest Florida Republican to support Donald Trump over Ron DeSantis for president in 2024, DailyMail.com has exclusively learned, as the race for the support of leaders in the key battlefield state heats up.

“I am proud to support President Donald J. Trump as our next Supreme Commander to fight socialism at home and abroad, rebuild our economy, and secure and protect our nation so that America is the freest, most most exceptional country in the history of the world,” Gimenez told DailyMail.com on Friday.

‘I was born in Cuba and fled my country of birth shortly after the communist takeover. In South Florida, we really understand firsthand the value of freedom because so many of us know what it feels like to live without it,” Gimenez continued. “Under Joe Biden, America is less safe, less prosperous and less free.”

The approval comes after a handful of other Republican Florida legislators publicly stated in recent days that they will support the former president in his bid for a second term. It’s a blow to incumbent Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who is widely expected to run in the 2024 GOP primary, though he hasn’t officially announced it yet.

Gimenez’s endorsement is the 11th total in the Florida GOP delegation to support Trump in 2024.

DeSantis is in Washington, DC this week, meeting and speaking with former colleagues at the Heritage Foundation

The Florida legislators, in addition to Gimenez, who support Trump include: Matt Gaetz, Brian Mast, Anna Paulina Luna, Cory Mills, Greg Steube, Byron Donalds, Vern Buchanan, Gus Bilirakis, Michael Waltz, and John Rutherford.

The 11 Florida GOP lawmakers who have supported Trump joined the former president at dinner at Mar-a-Lago Thursday night.

Now, the majority of the Sunshine State’s 20 GOP members have formally elected Trump over DeSantis.

Only one Florida legislator, Rep. Laurel Lee, has expressed support for DeSantis. Lee is serving her first term in Congress and served as Florida Secretary of State under the DeSantis administration.

DeSantis stopped by the Capitol this week to meet with lawmakers with whom he formerly served in Congress and will also speak at the Heritage Foundation Leadership Summit on Friday.

In addition, Lance Gooden of Texas said earlier this week that he will support Trump despite a “positive” meeting with DeSantis at the Capitol.

“I met Governor DeSantis,” Gooden said Tuesday after his meeting with the governor.

“And while he has done a commendable job in Florida, I have no doubt that President Trump is the only leader who can save America from the leftist onslaught we are currently facing,” Gooden continued.

Trump, who announced his 2024 candidacy last November, has more than 45 endorsements in the House and just under 10 in the Senate so far.

Trump announced his 2024 candidacy last November and has the support of more than 45 members of the House

The former president has begun attacking DeSantis on social media, and his campaign arm last week posted a graphic ad mocking a report that the governor once used his fingers to scoop pudding into his mouth without a spoon.

Trump will speak at a campaign event in New Hampshire next week.

DeSantis has recently visited New Hampshire and South Carolina, and his super-PAC has reportedly hired people in several key presidential candidate states, including South Carolina and Iowa.

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has run for office and has also traveled to several early voting states in recent weeks.

Republican commentator Vivek Ramaswamy is also an official GOP contender.

Vice President Mike Pence has said he plans to make an announcement about 2024 in the coming weeks.