Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis will run for US President in 2024. Photo: SCOTT OLSON / AFP
DeSantis will likely file paperwork declaring his candidacy on 25 May to coincide with a donor meeting in Miami, with a more formal launch the week of 29 May, according to a source.
The invitation for the 25 May event stated that donors would be put to "work," an apparent allusion to raise money for DeSantis, according to a source familiar with the event.
Former US President Donald Trump maintains a commanding lead in the 2024 Republican primary, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll.
DeSantis' rising profile among Republicans and fundraising prowess likely makes him the biggest threat to Trump, who in recent weeks has increased political attacks on the Florida governor.
DeSantis recently signed into law a bill that bans gender-affirming healthcare such as puberty blockers or hormone therapy for transgender youth, and also enacts obstacles for adults to access healthcare.
DeSantis has had help in readying the ground for his candidacy. A new political action committee supporting him, Never Back Down, which can raise unlimited funds, has been hiring staff in early voting states and running TV ads championing DeSantis and knocking Trump.
DeSantis, 44, was re-elected as governor just last year, trouncing his Democratic opponent by nearly 20 percentage points.
- Reuters