Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has withdrawn from the Republican presidential nomination race, acknowledging the lack of a viable path to success. He endorsed former President Donald Trump, emphasizing Trump’s superiority over the current incumbent, Joe Biden. The decision was made just before the New Hampshire primary, where Nikki Haley aims to narrow the gap with Trump. DeSantis cited financial constraints and the impracticality of continuing against Trump as reasons for his withdrawal.
Key Points:
- DeSantis Endorses Trump:
- Despite previous criticisms, Ron DeSantis endorsed Donald Trump, stating that Trump surpasses the current president, Joe Biden.
- Trump and his team anticipated DeSantis’ exit but were not given prior notice about the endorsement.
- Trump expressed gratitude for DeSantis’ support, but the extent of future collaboration remains uncertain.
- Financial Challenges:
- Discussions about withdrawing began in Florida due to a lack of financial support.
- DeSantis, in a video, announced the end of his campaign and communicated to donors that it was impractical to continue without adequate funds.
- Continued Disputes with Haley:
- Despite exiting the race, DeSantis and Haley continued exchanging criticisms.
- DeSantis accused Haley of representing an outdated Republican guard, while Haley disputed the claim, stating there’s no evidence to support it.
- Poll Numbers:
- A recent CNN poll revealed Trump leading with 50% support among likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire.
- Haley followed with 39%, while DeSantis polled at only 6%, falling below the 10% minimum required to win delegates as per party rules.
- Other Campaign Headlines:
- President Biden’s campaign focuses on abortion rights, launching an abortion-focused ad in battleground states.
- Democrats in New Hampshire criticize the DNC’s decision to prioritize South Carolina as the first primary contest.
- Trump defends mocking Haley’s name, using racist language in recent posts on Truth Social.
- The New Hampshire Union Leader’s editorial board endorses Haley before the state’s primary, and Governor Chris Sununu believes she can gain momentum even without winning.
In summary, DeSantis’ withdrawal alters the Republican landscape, with Trump gaining a key endorsement. The New Hampshire primary is poised to be a critical battleground, especially for Nikki Haley, as the campaign continues to unfold.