DeSantis gets endorsements from former Trump officials ahead of expected Presidential announcement

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — FOX and CBS have confirmed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will announce his bid for Presidency on Twitter alongside the company’s CEO Elon Musk Wednesday at 6 p.m.

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With Governor Ron DeSantis’ announcement for a Presidential run seemingly less than 24 hours away Action News Jax has confirmed a coalition of more than 100 former Trump administration officials already plan to back the Governor in the 2024 Republican Presidential Primary.

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FOX News reports the group, calling itself “The Eight-Year Alliance” is backing DeSantis, not because its members intend to retaliate against the former President, but because they want to prevent Trump from “immediately becoming a lame-duck President.”

“It is interesting that they’re framing it like this,” said UCF political science professor Dr. Aubrey Jewett.

Related Story: Report: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to announce candidacy for president Wednesday on Twitter

Jewett told Action News Jax he doubts the strategic argument will sway many voters.

“One of the main deciding factors will be do they like Trump or do they not like Trump and that will really drive a lot of the Republican vote,” Jewett said.

Jewett noted this is the latest batch in an endorsement war between DeSantis and Trump.

Trump scored the first victory when he earned the endorsement of the majority of Florida’s Republican congressional coalition.

Just last week DeSantis chalked up a win when 99 Florida Republican state lawmakers backed his yet-to-be-announced Presidential bid.

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“On one level endorsements don’t matter a huge amount to the average voter, but it does matter a little bit in terms of news coverage, in terms of the ability to raise money and in terms of potentially influencing at least some voters,” Jewett said.

Expectations are DeSantis, along with his donors and supporters, will be gathering in Miami Wednesday ahead of a more public campaign launch next week, likely in his hometown of Dunedin.

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Action News Jax will be in Miami bringing you live coverage on the ground starting Wednesday at noon.