thread via @MarcACaputo
7 Florida legislators are endorsing Trump – including 5 DeSantis defections — as the state GOP kicks off a summit. It’s a sign of Trump’s momentum & DeSantis’s waning influence in their home state
The 5 switchers from DeSantis to Trump: state Sen. Debbie Mayfield and Reps Jessica Baker, Webster Barnaby, Alina Garcia & Kevin Steele
2 new: state Reps Mike Beltran & David Borrero
The 7 new Trump endorsers in FL follow U.S. Sen. Rick Scott’s decision Thursday to back Trump & they come 10 days after one of DeSantis’s former top allies in the Florida Legislature, Rep. Randy Fine, defected to Trump.
DeSantis remains the strongest gov in modern memory; his high GOP fave ratings & his penchant for wielding his veto pen have bent the GOP-run Legislature to his will
DeSantis now counts 93 endorsements from Florida legislators – down from 99 he in May. Some have privately said they’re only sticking with DeSantis over Trump because they don’t want their bills/spending projects vetoed
Outside of Tallahassee, Trump dominates in top FL endorsements, w/14 from the GOP congressional delegation, including Bill Posey who quietly endorsed months ago. DeSantis announced only 1 U.S. Rep. endorsement
The seven Saturday endorsers join Trump’s longtime ally state Sen. Joe Gruters, has been with Trump since 2016 and Trump also counts the support of Senators Ileana Garcia and Ana Maria Rodriguez and Reps Juan Porras and Randy Fine.
