Trump Snags Big Endorsements from Republican Senators as 2024 Primary Heats Up

By Dr. Derek Ellerman

If you were hoping for a relatively drama-free 2024 Republican primary, there’s still a small chance you may get it.

It’s unlikely, but definitely still possible. After all, Florida governor Ron DeSantis has yet to officially announce a 2024 campaign (even though his allies are already running ads) and the contest is clearly already down to just two likely winners.

Sorry Nikki Haley and Asa Hutchinson. (Please, please run Liz Cheney!)

Trump is already dominating DeSantis in the polls, and his campaign picked up some key endorsements that should further deflate the latter’s current pseudo-campaign.

America First Senator JD Vance Endorses President Trump for GOP Primary. “The simple fact is Donald Trump’s policies were incredibly good for this country.”

Winners endorse winners.

Make America Sane Again

Trump 2024 – You know you want him in your corner. pic.twitter.com/UyaFBJbMpl

— Tex_2A  (@Tex2_A) February 1, 2023

RELATED: Team DeSantis Releases First Ad Attacking Trump: He’s Stealing Pages from the Biden-Pelosi Playbook!

Trump Picks Up Key Endorsements

Trump had already picked up a crucial endorsement in the state both men call home.

Rep. Byron Donalds, only on his second term but already popular with the MAGA section of the Republican Party, announced his support for President Trump.

That event, according to some reports, has Team DeSantis scrambling to beg other Florida Republicans not to announce their preference during the primary.

But just as important for Trump is new institutional support, from corners not normally associated with America First or the MAGA wing of the party.

Last week, Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn – popular with some conservatives though certainly not MAGA – announced, “He did it once, and he will do it again. President Trump will Make America Great Again, and I look forward to having him back in the White House.”

Yesterday, Trump also received the backing of Tennessee’s other senator, Bill Hagerty:

It is my honor to give my whole-hearted endorsement to Donald J. Trump to be the next President of the United States. I was honored to previously serve in his Administration.

— Bill Hagerty (@BillHagertyTN) April 16, 2023

RELATED: GOP Donors, Including Thomas Pafferty, Reportedly Abandon DeSantis for Being Too Pro-Life

Endorsements – So Far

The Hill rounded up the list of support so far. Keep in mind, it’s still quite “early” in the 2024 season, if there even is such a thing as “early” anymore.

Here’s where each candidate stands:

Donald Trump

Senators:

1. Tommy Tuberville (AL)
2. Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS)
3. Eric Schmitt (MO)
4. Ted Budd (NC)
5.  JD Vance (OH)
6. Marwayne Mullin (OK)
7. Lindsey Graham (SC)
8. Marsha Blackburn (TN)
9. Bill Haggerty (TN)

House:

1. Barry Moore (AL)
2. Dale Strong (AL)
3. Andy Biggs (AZ)
4. Eli Crane (AZ)
5. Paul Gosar (AZ)
6. Lauren Boebert (CO)
7. Byron Donalds (FL)
8. Cory Mills (FL)
9. Matt Gaetz (FL)
10. Anna Paulina Luna (FL)
11. Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA)
12. Mike Bost (IL)
13. Mary Miller (IL)
14. Jim Banks (IN)
15. Clay Higgins (LA)
16. Jeff Van Drew (NJ)
17. Elise Stefanik (NY)
18. Richard Hudson (NC)
19. Mike Carey (OH)
20. Jim Jordan (OH)
21. Max Miller (OH)
22. Russell Fry (SC)
23. William Timmons (SC)
24. Joe Wilson (SC)
25. Diana Harshbarger (TN)
26. John Rose (TN)
27. Chuck Fleischmann (TN)
28. Ronny Jackson (TX)
29. Troy Nehls (TX)
30. Brian Babin (TX)
31. Michael Burgess (TX)
32. John Carter (TX)
33. Pat Fallon (TX)
34. Tony Gonzales (TX)
35. Wesley Hunt (TX)
36. Pete Sessions (TX)
37. Beth Van Duyne (TX)
38. Randy Weber (TX)
39. Roger Williams (TX)
40. Alex Mooney (WV)
41. Harriet Hageman (WY)

Ron DeSantis

1. Thomas Massie (KY)
2. Chip Roy (TX)

Again, we’re very early in the cycle, and things could change. But right now, Trump has a 30+ point lead in most polls, and a huge lead in endorsements. That kind of momentum will be tough for Team DeSantis to overcome.