As Florida Governor Ron DeSantis contemplates a 2024 White House nomination, one of his great strengths is the ability to raise huge sums of capital from wealthy donors. a base level – and it’s there that DeSantis seems to have plenty of work to do.
DeSantis, 44, is said to have a war chest of nearly $110 million thanks to backing from state and federal committees that have pledged to throw their weight behind the potential GOP candidate.
But money doesn’t guarantee momentum when it comes to winning the presidency, nor does Florida success guarantee victory on the national stage.
DeSantis will have to show talent for navigating a grassroots fundraising environment that continues to show significant support for former President Donald Trump.
DeSantis will also need to engage with millionaire donors and act at fundraisers whose support is vital to any presidential campaign.
As Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ponders a 2024 presidential campaign, his ability to raise money from wealthy donors is seen as one of his key strengths.
DeSantis polls appear to have fallen against Trump in recent weeks, with 58 percent supporting Trump, compared to just 21 percent supporting DeSantis
Trump posted a more detailed look at the latest poll showing his numbers are rising as DeSanti’s momentum appears to be slipping away
DeSantis has so far kept donors at bay while touring the country, and most of his money is tied up in a Florida political action committee, making it a pain to use across the country.
He would be prohibited by law from transferring state-raised dollars from Florida to a national presidential campaign.
All attempts to move the money to a super PAC called Never Back Down would almost certainly raise red flags among campaign finance watchdogs.
Governor DeSantis isn’t even an announced candidate and supporters from all 50 states have already signed up and donated to the Never Back Down movement. If he decides to run for president, he will be a grassroots force to be reckoned with,” said Super-PAC spokesman Erin Perrine.
DeSantis’ recent remarks on Ukraine have also sparked concern among Republican supporters, and his polls have suffered, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll estimating Trump’s support at nearly three times that of DeSantis.
“I think he’s had a few shaky weeks in his communications with donors,” said Rob Stutzman, who worked for former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mitt Romney’s 2008 presidential campaign.
“Donors eager to move forward with Mr. Trump can start imagining — maybe this isn’t the way,” he told the New York Times.
Trump has repeatedly taunted DeSantis by portraying the governor as a puppet of wealthy Republican elites
Trump seems to enjoy trolling his polls against DeSantis and President Joe Biden
DeSantis polls appear to have fallen against Trump in recent weeks, with 58 percent supporting Trump compared to just 21 percent supporting DeSantis.
Last month, DeSantis characterized Russia’s war in Ukraine as a “territorial dispute.”
He has since reversed the comments after criticism from some fellow Republicans who expressed concern at such a dismissive portrayal of the conflict.
The comments may serve to show how DeSantis still has some way to go when it comes to developing his political skills to make the transition from governor to presidential candidate.
Although Trump has officially been in the presidential race since November, DeSantis as his closest rival has not yet announced an official White House bid.
DeSantis won another term at the Florida governor’s mansion in November by a margin of nearly 20 points in a state that has historically been a battle between Democrats and Republicans.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is pictured making his first trip to Iowa state for early voting in March. It would be difficult for him to use dollars raised in Florida for a national GOP campaign
Trump has repeatedly taunted DeSantis by portraying the governor as a puppet of wealthy Republican elites.
Such attacks by Trump bring up the political reality that no matter how much money DeSantis has, he will still have to overcome the enthusiasm among the former president’s supporters.
Trump’s call is so popular that his campaign announced it had managed to raise $12 million following news of his indictment last week.
DeSantis will also now have to maintain relationships with millionaire donors and fundraisers in Republican politics across the country.
While it’s still exceptionally early in the campaign cycle, DeSantis has opted for rallies rather than fundraising dinners where he sometimes comes across as awkward.
Longtime Republican strategist Mike Murphy wonders if his political skills are lagging behind.
“There are questions in Republican circles about DeSantis’ skills as a candidate — can he make the transition from governor of a Republican state, where you exist on people’s TV screens, to the microscope of New Hampshire and Iowa?” said Murphy The New York Times.
although DeSantis’ nine-figure $110 million profit sounds impressive, but big fundraising doesn’t always translate into a win.
Donors and strategists cite the examples of former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush as warnings.
Bush was an early front-runner, having raised more than $100 million prior to his 2016 run, only to have his race fall flat early on.
It will be many months before the primary starts in early 2024, but DeSantis will have to make a decision before Trump takes the GOP nomination for a third time.