Gov. Ron DeSantis Officially Declaring Presidential Candidacy Next Week?

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to officially enter the 2024 presidential race next week, according to multiple reports.

The Republican governor “will file formal paperwork with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) next week to declare his candidacy for president,” sources close to DeSantis reportedly confirmed to Fox News.

The Wall Street Journal and ABC News also reported that DeSantis is expected to formally announce his presidential campaign next week.

WSJ: DeSantis to launch a presidential bid and file paperwork with the FEC next week pic.twitter.com/8lzOxmn1wF

— Joel Weingart (@JoelWeingart_) May 18, 2023

NEW: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to file papers with the FEC declaring his candidacy next week, which would formally enter DeSantis into the 2024 presidential race, sources tell @ABC News. https://t.co/KBZVpy1O87

— ABC News (@ABC) May 18, 2023

Fox News reported:

The filing by DeSantis will coincide with his meeting next week in Miami, Florida with top financial backers, one source told Fox Digital. By law, DeSantis cannot receive or ask for contributions for a presidential campaign unless he has formally declared his candidacy.

By filing with the FEC, DeSantis would be free to solicit donations from donors at the gathering in Miami, which would set in motion a likely fundraising blitz.

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DeSantis set a gubernatorial fundraising record last cycle, and had $110 million cash on hand in his fundraising committees at the start of the spring. Much of that money could likely be transferred to Never Back Down, a super PAC backing the expected DeSantis presidential campaign.

A formal campaign kick-off event will likely take place sometime after next week’s donor gathering, but no details have been shared by the campaign.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to enter the 2024 presidential race next week, two Republicans familiar with the matter tell CNN https://t.co/SiCqe7maNC pic.twitter.com/pgfTjZA1lc

— CNN (@CNN) May 18, 2023

ABC News reported that the official campaign kickoff event would likely be the week of Memorial Day.

But this will not be the official kickoff event — sources say a formal event launching his campaign would likely come the week of Memorial Day. Sources say he is considering holding the event in his hometown of Dunedin, Florida but sources described the plans as in flux.

A spokesperson for DeSantis declined to comment.

Sources caution plans could still change, as DeSantis’ timeline for his 2024 roll out has already been moved up after initially eyeing a mid-June event.

A recent Rasmussen poll shows DeSantis will have an incredibly tough task reaching President Donald Trump in the GOP primary.

Trump held a 45-point lead over DeSantis in the poll.

2024 GOP Primary: Trump holds 45-point lead over DeSantis

• Trump — 62% (+45)
• DeSantis — 17%
• Pence — 6%
• Haley — 5%
• Hutchinson — 3%
• Ramaswamy — 2%@Rasmussen_Poll | 996 LV | 05/14-15https://t.co/tbKuQ8kh3g pic.twitter.com/79VJxK9CjQ

— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) May 17, 2023

From Rasmussen Reports:

Months ahead of the first 2024 primaries, former President Donald Trump leads his would-be challengers for the Republican presidential nomination by a substantial margin.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 62% of Likely Republican voters would vote for Trump in the primaries, while 17% would vote for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Several other announced or possible 2024 candidates have single-digit support among GOP voters: Former Vice President Mike Pence (6%), former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley (5%), former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (3%) and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy (2%).