Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis may have become the first-ever candidate in the United States to raise more than $100 million only in donations, according to a new report.
The Republican star, who is running for reelection this year, notched $96 million as of last month between his campaign and political committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis, which is expected to report a $6.1 million haul for March on Monday, according to CNN. The funding comes from a variety of people and groups, including former President Donald Trump’s donor network, state and national parties, Florida businesses, and small donations from across the country.
“DeSantis is the talk of every Republican cocktail party and every organizational meeting,” Scott Reed, a veteran GOP operative, told the news outlet. “His support spans the money class and the movement conservatives. And that’s a strong combination early in the game.”
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For comparison, DeSantis, a former congressman, and his Democratic rival raised a total of $113 million in the 2018 race for Florida governor. The CNN report notes that records from OpenSecrets, a campaign finance watchdog, show that the last two gubernatorial candidates to raise $100 million, 2010 GOP nominee for California governor Meg Whitman and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, did so largely with their own money.
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DeSantis is the current favorite to win the party’s nomination in Florida. He is also a top contender, should he decide to run, to compete for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024.
The gubernatorial primary for Florida will be held in August. DeSantis will likely face Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist, State Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, or state Sen. Annette Taddeo in the general election.
