Florida Gov. DeSantis Rakes In Huge Fundraising Haul For 2022

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is raking in huge fundraising sums in preparation for his 2022 re-election bid, reportedly raising nearly $6 million in just the last two months.

DeSantis had shut down fundraising efforts at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but began fundraising again in October. Since then, he has raised more than $11 million. 

DeSantis has even out raised the Florida Republican Party. Politico reported on Monday that it had raised $3.65 million the first three months of 2021.

DeSantis’ fundraising far outpaces that of Nikki Fried, the Agriculture Commissioner who is the only Democrat elected statewide, and could be DeSantis’ top challenger in 2022.

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How COVID Was Handled In Florida

A big part of DeSantis’ popularity with conservatives and Republicans stems from his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Sunshine State.

Early on, he avoided mandatory lock downs and mask mandates, and focused on the safety of Florida’s large senior citizen population. Now a year later, Florida has been open for business, and Florida’s school children are back in the classroom.

Helen Aguirre-Ferre, Executive Director of the Republican Party of Florida, says that DeSantis’ handling of COVID-19 “continues to get high marks for keeping Florida safe and open for business.”

She added, “Florida has been getting a lot of attention because of the Governor’s conservative and principled policies which are working — this in turn is driving support for Gov. DeSantis’ efforts in 2022.”

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A Rising Star In The Republican Party

The political winds appear to be at Ron DeSantis’ back.

He is the nation’s youngest governor at 42, and therefore has plenty of time for his star to rise within the GOP.

Florida’s business community is very solidly behind DeSantis, and he’s currently on the list of those talked about as being 2024 presidential candidates.

Back in February, DeSantis won a presidential straw poll among CPAC attendees as the top pick for the GOP nomination, provided Donald Trump doesn’t run.

As far as challengers for the 2022 Gubernatorial race, the most viable candidate for Florida Democrats is probably Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.

Fried has raised just over $154,000 sin the beginning of March and $450,000 since October, paling in comparison to DeSantis.

Another possible challenger in 2022 could be former Governor Charlie Crist.

Crist served as Florida’s Republican Governor from 2007 to 2011, and switched parties in 2012. He says he will make a final decision before summer.

When asked what he thought of DeSantis’ record on the pandemic, Crist replied, “It’s a mixed bag, to be candid.” 

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DeSantis At Big Trump Meeting

Over the weekend, former President Donald Trump held a large gathering/fundraiser at Mar-A-Lago. Not only did large GOP donors attend, but many possible 2024 presidential hopefuls, including Ron DeSantis. 

Trump spoke both nights of the gathering, and Ron DeSantis shared the stage with Trump. He was the only elected official scheduled to be onstage with Trump. 

If Trump doesn’t run in 2024, and DeSantis wins big in 2022, he will surely be considered the early favorite for a Presidential nomination.