DeSantis Picks Up Endorsement From Texas Lawmaker

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis continues to trail President Trump in the polls, but he is hoping to make up some ground in Iowa.

On Saturday, his campaign got a little boost when Texas Congressman Chip Roy endorsed him for president, saying he stands “100 percent” with the GOP hopeful.

Rep. Chip Roy announced his endorsement of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for the White House, saying he stands "100 percent" with the GOP hopeful. https://t.co/j65OLXK2Jt pic.twitter.com/91BtuPTAHZ

— The Hill (@thehill) November 25, 2023

From The Hill:

“I stand 100% alongside this wonderful woman & her husband, @RonDeSantis, because they are truly good & decent people,” Roy posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, in response to a tweet from Florida first lady Casey DeSantis. “America needs THAT again.”

I stand 100% alongside this wonderful woman & her husband, @RonDeSantis, because they are truly good & decent people. America needs THAT again. I proudly fight for @RonDeSantis to be our GOP nominee for President because it’s time to #MeetTheMoment & WIN again. #DeSantis2024 https://t.co/LyYYnqHjDx

— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) November 25, 2023

“I proudly fight for @RonDeSantis to be our GOP nominee for President because it’s time to #MeetTheMoment & WIN again. #DeSantis2024,” he added.

The Texas Republican offered a preemptive endorsement of DeSantis in March — before the governor announced his candidacy.

“The next President of the United States must be a vibrant and energetic leader with the faith, vision, and courage to chart a new course,” Roy said in an email to supporters at the time.

“America needs a leader who will truly defend her and empower the people against the destructive force of unrestrained government and corporate excess, profligate spending, and woke cultural indoctrination,” he wrote, adding “That leader is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.”

On Saturday, Roy took the opportunity to sell DeSantis above the current GOP frontrunner, former President Trump.

In response to his endorsement, a user told Roy that it didn’t matter who he supported for the White House. Instead, they argued, he should use his platform to discredit California Gov. Gavin Newsom and former first lady Michelle Obama.

“Well – @RonDeSantis is debating Newsom on @FoxNews next week,” the lawmaker replied. “Trump is not showing up to debates…”

Well – @RonDeSantis is debating Newsom on @FoxNews next week. Trump is not showing up to debates… https://t.co/vr4akE0xWj

— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) November 25, 2023

The latest endorsement for the Florida governor comes after he secured backing from an influential Iowa evangelical leader. A group of 10 South Carolina officials also flipped their endorsement to DeSantis from Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) earlier this month, after the senator suspended his presidential campaign.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has also endorsed DeSantis.

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), however, chose to endorse Trump over the Florida governor at the beginning of November. Trump, according to national polling, is still well in the lead for the nomination.