As some speculate that Ron DeSantis may pursue a run for the White House in 2024, it was notable that on Sunday, the Republican Florida governor endorsed anti-Trump Republican Colorado Senate candidate Joe O’Dea.
O’Dea, a businessman and first-time candidate, is closing the 7-point gap with his Democrat opponent, incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet.
That DeSantis would support Republican Senate candidates is not unexpected—over the summer he said he would—but his support of anti-Trumper O’Dea has some wondering if DeSantis is making a political statement more than offering a political endorsement.
During an Oct. 16 interview on CNN, O’Dea called the Jan. 6 Capitol protest a “black eye” for the country and promised to oppose attempts by Trump to secure the Republican presidential nomination in 2024.
“I don’t think Donald Trump should run again,” O’Dea said. “I’m going to actively campaign against Donald Trump and make sure that we have got four or five really great Republicans right now…”
O’Dea added: “Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, they could run and serve for eight years,” he added. “I’m going to do my job as a U.S. senator to make sure that they have good campaigns in the primary here, so we have a good selection of candidates for 2024.”
According to the Western Journal, on Sunday, the Florida Governor said: “I’ve watched Joe from a distance. And I’m impressed.”
DeSantis presented O’Dea as a political outsider who can offer a fresh perspective in the Senate:
“[O’Dea] isn’t a career politician. He’s a contractor. He’s built a company from nothing. He’s a leader who knows how to fight and get results. Michael Bennet votes with Joe Biden 98 percent of the time. The results have been a disaster for the American people.”
DeSantis added: “Joe’s focused on building the wall and cracking down on crime. He’ll stand up to the big spending politicians in both parties and cut red tape. Vote Joe O’Dea and let’s turn Colorado red!”
Former President Donald Trump fired back on his Truth Social platform, writing:
“There’s this RINO character in the Great State of Colorado, Joe O’Dea, that is running against the incumbent Democrat for the United States Senate, who is having a good old time saying that he wants to ‘distance’ himself from President Trump, and other slightly nasty things.”
Trump added:
“He should look at the Economy, Inflation, Energy Independence, defeating ISIS, the Strongest EVER Border, Great Trade Deals, & much more, before he speaks. MAGA doesn’t Vote for stupid people with big mouths. Good luck Joe!”
Source: ResistTheMainStream