In a positive first ad in what is expected to be a reelection campaign leading to a 2024 presidential bid, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis features letters from constituents thanking him for keeping the state free and open during the federal crackdown on COVID-19.
The video ad posted by the Florida Republican Party marks the opening of his reelection effort and touches on his coronavirus fight, his battles with liberal media, and his matter-of-fact style of governing.
As he’s shown reading letters, a mix of voices says, “Dear Gov. DeSantis. I’ve never written a political leader. But I’m writing to express my appreciation for keeping us Floridians free and thriving. A governor who says what he is going to do and then does it.”
The 60-second ad repeats the word “freedom” as it shows the governor going through his day.
.@RonDeSantisFL has received thousands of letters from across the state and around the world thanking him for his leadership.
And I can tell you this, he’s only begun to fight. pic.twitter.com/ne2DucdToe
— Casey DeSantis (@CaseyDeSantis) August 3, 2022
“Without your leadership, we wouldn’t have been able to stay open,” says a man.
“Because of you, my child has thrived through this pandemic,” says a woman.
“The monoclonal antibodies saved my mother’s life,” adds a male voice.
“I’m 11 years old, and I’m glad I could go to school,” says a child.
And as DeSantis is shown laughing, a man says, “Watching you beat back the woke, liberal media makes me so proud to be a Floridian.”
The ad dropped on a day that Team DeSantis was busy sending out fundraising emails. “The bottom line is that the left knows if they beat us in Florida, the message will be sent that GOP governors better not try to lead for fear of a tsunami of liberal cash that will lie, cheat, and steal until they can kick real conservatives out of office,” he warned in one.
Odds favor a DeSantis reelection, though it is expected to be a bruiser. One betting site, OddsChecker, also said today that the governor tops former President Donald Trump as the favorite to win in 2024.
