After a few years of speculation, it appears as though the 2024 GOP presidential field is about to get a little more crowded.
According to multiple reports on Thursday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, always seen as former President Donald Trump’s biggest rival to the nomination, is expected to announce his candidacy next week.
Fox News reported:
The popular two-term conservative governor will file formal paperwork with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) next week to declare his candidacy for president, sources familiar with the governor’s decision confirm to Fox News. The news was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
The filing by DeSantis will coincide with his meeting next week in Miami, Florida with top financial backers, one source told Fox Digital. By law, DeSantis cannot receive or ask for contributions for a presidential campaign unless he has formally declared his candidacy.
By filing with the FEC, DeSantis would be free to solicit donations from donors at the gathering in Miami, which would set in motion a likely fundraising blitz.
During the previous election cycle, DeSantis achieved a remarkable feat by setting a gubernatorial fundraising record. As the spring began, his fundraising committees boasted an impressive $110 million in cash reserves.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will officially enter the 2024 US presidential race next week, according to two sources, becoming Donald Trump's biggest rival for the Republican nomination and shaking up a contest that largely has been one-sided https://t.co/9HQfeN7tGL pic.twitter.com/OR2NetDGs4
— Reuters (@Reuters) May 18, 2023
A significant portion of these funds is anticipated to be transferred to Never Back Down, a super PAC that supports DeSantis’ presumed presidential campaign, Fox News reported.
Other reports suggested that DeSantis will announce his bid in his hometown of Dunedin, Fla.
If he does jump in, he will join the other candidates who declared, including Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and radio host Larry Elder. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott is expected to enter the race soon.