DeSantis plans to defeat both Trump and Biden.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination, stating that he can win over Donald Trump because he is broadly acceptable to Republicans. He believes he can then beat Joe Biden in the general election because he has the proven strength to appeal to independents.

DeSantis stated in a phone-in press conference with select news organizations, including The Epoch Times, on May 24, that he won 97 percent of Republicans in his reelection. He believes he is acceptable to the broad swath of Republicans and is not taking policy positions that are alienating massive segments of the party.

He believes that winning independents is essential and pointed to the examples of Georgia’s Brian Kemp and Iowa’s Kim Reynolds in their gubernatorial reelections. “I think that there’s millions of people that want to move on from Biden. I think they’re ripe for us to be able to get,” DeSantis said. “But I think you have got to have a vehicle that they’re comfortable with. And I think we’ve shown in Florida that we’re able to win voters who don’t always vote Republican. You know, you can’t win 60-40 with only Republicans.”

DeSantis acknowledged Trump’s high poll numbers but said most Republicans haven’t yet focused on the race. He noted that polls could be wrong, such as those that failed to predict his recent reelection victory by nearly 20 percentage points.

DeSantis believes that the party would need to be aggressive, including using ballot harvesting in states where it’s legal, such as Nevada, Pennsylvania, and possibly Wisconsin, which may legalize it once more. “We banned all that in Florida, but I don’t think you can say, ‘Don’t play the way they’re playing.’”

Responding to another question, DeSantis contrasted his positions with those of Trump by noting particular issues where Trump has attacked him. DeSantis said he voted against a Trump-backed bill to declare amnesty for 2 million illegal immigrants in return for “a pittance” in gains against illegal immigration. “I oppose amnesty. That was supposed to be America First policy to oppose amnesty, and yet he endorsed and tried to ram thro

DeSantis’ Proven Record of Success

• Won 97% of Republicans in his reelection
• Representing the values that the vast, vast majority of the party professes to hold
• Able to win voters who don’t always vote Republican

DeSantis’ Strategy for Winning the General Election

• Winning independents is essential
• Pointed to the examples of Georgia’s Brian Kemp and Iowa’s Kim Reynolds in their gubernatorial reelections
• Believes there are millions of people that want to move on from Biden
• Party needs to be aggressive, including using ballot harvesting in states where it’s legal

DeSantis vs. Trump

• DeSantis believes he can win over Donald Trump because he is broadly acceptable to Republicans
• DeSantis believes he can beat Joe Biden in the general election because he has the proven strength to appeal to independents
• DeSantis contrasted his positions with those of Trump by noting particular issues where Trump has attacked him