3 Republicans Betrayed Trump, Endorsed DeSantis.

Republican Legislators Caught in the Middle of Trump and DeSantis Endorsement Battle

As the Trump campaign and the unofficial campaign of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis compete for endorsements in New Hampshire, four Republican legislators found themselves caught in the middle.

Endorsement Battle Heats Up

Last month, former President Donald Trump released a list of 50 Republican state legislators supporting him. This month, the super PAC Never Back Down, which backs DeSantis, raised the stakes with 51 endorsements in the key early primary state.

Trump campaign representative Stephen Cheun scolded the DeSantis team for poaching, accusing them of trying to harass and intimidate their supporters. Cheun claimed that Team DeSantis gave their personal contact information to reporters across multiple outlets to apply pressure.

Legislator Juliet Harvey-Bolia found herself on both lists and took the most diplomatic way out possible, stating, “I’m endorsing both. DeSantis has a lot of promise for the future, and Trump is great now.”

Legislator Lisa Smart, on the other hand, said her initial Trump endorsement will not change. She expressed dismay at the games being played by Never Back Down and stated that she will not be participating in any activities with Ron DeSantis.

The other two on the list, Republican state Reps. Debra DeSimone and Brian Cole, say they are solidly behind DeSantis. DeSimone stated, “Although [he] has not yet formally announced his candidacy, I have simply decided to endorse Ron DeSantis due to his convictions both politically and personally. I believe he can bring this country back to the strongest, most respected country in the world.” Cole noted that he met DeSantis individually and believes he resonates better with the base in New Hampshire.

What Does This Mean for the Candidates?

According to columnist Philip Bump in The Washington Post, whose side those four legislators end up on “doesn’t really matter. None of them is likely to convince many voters how to vote; I don’t think many New Hampshirites are waiting to hear from their local representative before deciding between Trump and DeSantis.”

However, these endorsements are highly valued markers for the candidates and for observers in the months before the voting actually begins. From those starting points, all sorts of political prognostications can result.

Conclusion

As the endorsement battle heats up between Trump and DeSantis, these four Republican legislators find themselves caught in the middle. While their endorsements may not sway many voters, they are highly valued markers for the candidates and political observers alike.

• Former President Donald Trump released a list of 50 Republican state legislators supporting him.
• The super PAC Never Back Down, which backs DeSantis, raised the stakes with 51 endorsements in the key early primary state.
• Republican Legislators Juliet Harvey-Bolia and Lisa Smart found themselves on both lists.
• Legislator Harvey-Bolia endorsed both candidates, while Legislator Smart stuck with her initial Trump endorsement.
• Republican state Reps. Debra DeSimone and Brian Cole are solidly behind DeSantis.
• According to columnist Philip Bump in The Washington Post, whose side those four legislators end up on “doesn’t really matter.”

Despite the outcome, these endorsements are highly valued markers for the candidates and for observers in the months before the voting actually begins.

Stay tuned for more updates on the endorsement battle between Trump and DeSantis.

The post Here are the 3 Republicans Who Betrayed Trump, Flipped Their Endorsement to DeSantis appeared first on The Western Journal.

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