More than 100 former Trump administration officials have started a group to support Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ expected 2024 White House bid, according to a report.
The members of the so-called “Eight-Year Alliance” argue that DeSantis is a “a proven winner” who “does what he says,” based on his record as the governor of the Sunshine State.
The new coalition is also backing DeSantis because they feel he is a strong candidate to serve two terms in the White House, according to a Fox News report on Monday.
Members told the news outlet they want to keep their ex-boss, former President Donald Trump, from “immediately becoming a lame-duck president” should he win a 2024 race against President Biden.
The report names former acting Associate Attorney General Jesse Panuccio, former Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense Will Bushman, former Counselor to the Secretary and White House Liaison at the Department of Labor Pedro Allende, former Senior Counsel and Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Commerce James Uthmeier and Principal Deputy General Counsel at the Department of Commerce David Dewhirst as some of the members of “Eight-Year Alliance.”
A complete list of the ex-Trump administration officials set to back DeSantis has not been revealed.
Sources told Fox News that the Trump administration veterans are “proud” of their work for the 45th president and do not seek to take shots at him, but they are now “wholeheartedly” throwing their support behind DeSantis.
DeSantis is expected to file the required paperwork with the Federal Election Commission and officially enter the race for president this week, setting up a much-anticipated face-off with Trump.
Trump leads DeSantis by double digits in most 2024 GOP primary polls, but some recent surveys show that in head-to-head matchups against Biden, the Florida governor wins whereas Trump would lose.
If he runs, DeSantis would join a 2024 GOP field that includes Trump, former UN Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott, (R-SC), entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and conservative radio talk show host Larry Elder.
