Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) endorsed former President Donald Trump for president in 2024 on Thursday, stressing the need for the Republican Party to unite behind him in what amounted to a high-profile snub of his state’s own Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who is also in the race and considered the second-place contender behind Trump.
In an op-ed for Newsweek, “It’s Time To Unite Behind Donald Trump,” Scott revealed his endorsement, writing that “Republican voters are making their voices heard loud and clear. They want to return to the leadership of Donald Trump.”
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According to the Florida senator, “the stakes are too high” to support anyone else.
In a statement, DeSantis Campaign Communications Director Andrew Romeo said, “Ron DeSantis has more endorsements from state legislators than the former president in Iowa (41), New Hampshire (62), and South Carolina (16). He also has the support of almost all Florida elected officials because he worked with them to deliver historic results for the conservative movement. The governor will win his home state because Floridians want to see a fighter who will bring the same type of results-oriented leadership to Washington that he has provided in the Sunshine State.”
According to Scott, “There is one person running who has the strength to bring America back, who is well-positioned to win the Republican primary, and who will win the general election. And that is why I am supporting Donald Trump for president.”
He also made it clear that he believes any of the 2024 Republican candidates would do a better job in the White House than President Joe Biden. However, the overwhelming lead Trump has with Republican voters led him to this decision.
“I’d never demand or even ask that another candidate drop out of a political contest,” he said. “That’s a decision for every candidate to make for themselves. But I’m supporting Donald Trump for president because the stakes are too high.”
Trump leads every candidate in the field by double digits consistently throughout both state and national polls. In many surveys, Trump holds a majority of Republican support. Once considered the best chance to defeat Trump, DeSantis has declined in various measures since his entrance into the race.
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The Florida governor still maintains his second-place stature nationally, though former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley has shown a promising upward trend. Haley has tied DeSantis in the latest Iowa caucus poll, surpassed him in New Hampshire, and maintained her lead over him in South Carolina.
But even as Haley gains some traction, her position is eclipsed by Trump’s massive and thus far unshakable lead.
