DeSantis Wins Over Pennsylvania Grassroots Activists and Leaves No Doubt He’s Running

During his speech to Pennsylvania Leadership Conference on Saturday, Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, left no doubt in the minds of conservative party members that he was running for the Republican Presidential nomination. He made it clear that nothing and no one would stand in the way of his aspirations.

DeSantis emphasized the importance of preserving “the sacred fire of liberty” that the founders of the nation spoke about, and his commitment to continue holding the line as conservatives. He mentioned that the fire of liberty began in Pennsylvania, specifically 1776 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and continued in Gettysburg through the nation’s first Republican president’s commitment to a new birth of freedom.

DeSantis’s speech earned him several standing ovations from the attendees at the Penn Harris conference center, including the high-ranking Republican leaders, grassroots activists, and conservatives from across the state. The sold-out convention hall loudly cheered after his announcement.

Supporters of DeSantis praised his intelligent approach to governance and his ability to work in a team. He also made references to his fight to save liberty in the country and underlined his intentions to carry on with the same.

Longtime Cumberland County conservative activist Alex Anastasio, who had supported Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020, was full of praise for his speech, including his action in cutting red tape after Hurricane Ian hit Florida. Anastasio expressed excitement about DeSantis’s aspirations and threw her weight behind him, stating that there was no one else out there who had what it took to be the president.

State Sen. Kim Ward, Pennsylvania’s first female appointed President Pro Tempore of the state Senate, was also impressed by DeSantis’s speech, citing his boldness and independent-mindedness as qualities needed in leadership. She dismissed criticism of DeSantis’s grassroots appeal and advised that pundits do not know the base.

Bob Gleason, a former state party chairman, and a current state committeeperson, emphasized the increasing importance of grassroots support as the legislature move the state’s primary up to a more meaningful winter date. He noted that this support was more crucial now than ever before.

David Urban, a Washington strategist who worked on Trump’s Pennsylvania campaign in 2016, reaffirmed the importance of Pennsylvania as a political battleground but stressed that primaries had not been significant before. However, with the proposed change in legislation, DeSantis’s decision to get to know the voters could prove to be smart.

Trump leads DeSantis in the national polls at present. Still, the attendees expressed the expectation that the chances would even out once DeSantis’s campaign gets underway, and Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy have also declared their candidacies for the Republican nomination.

DeSantis commented on Trump’s indictment, calling it politically motivated like most Republicans. Many attendees had voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020 but remained open-minded about supporting DeSantis next year for the Presidency.

Salena Zito serves as a CNN political analyst, and Washington Examiner’s staff reporter and columnist, connecting with the Everyman and Everywoman through journalism that covers the country’s pulse. Visit the Creator Syndicate webpage to learn more about Salena and read past columns.